V 

^-»V  ;,^ 


c 


PEEP    AT   THE    PILGRIMS 


SIXTEEN   HUNDRED   THIRTY-SIX. 


TAIL! 


BY  MRS.  H.  V.  CHENEY. 


Come,  listen  to  my  story, 

Tho'  often  told  before, 

Of  men  who  passed  to  glory 

Thro'  toil  and  travail,  sore ; 

Of  men  who  did  for  conscience'  sake, 

Their  native  land  forego, 

And  sought  a  home  and  freedom  here 

TWO  HUNDRED  YEARS  AGO. 

FLINT. 


BOSTON: 

PHILLIPS,    SAMPSON     AND    COMPANY, 
110  WASHINGTON  STREET. 

1850. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1850,  by 

PHILLIPS,  SAMPSON,  &  COMPANY, 
in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District   Court  of  Massachusetts. 

Wright  $  Hasty,  Printers,  3   Water  st. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER    I. 

From  native  shores  by  tempests  driven 

Ee  sought  a  purer  sky, 
And  found  beneath  a  wilder  heaven 

The  home  of  Liberty ! 

MELLEN. 

EARLY  in  the  autumn  of  1636  a  British  vessel  approached  the 
coast  of  New-England  ;  it  was  filled  with  adventurers,  who, 
on  the  first  cry  of  land,  eagerly  crowded  the  deck  to  catch  a 
glimpse  of  its  rugged  shores.  Political  dissension  and  re- 
ligious persecution,  which  at  that  period  unhappily  agitated 
England,  induced  many  of  her  subjects  to  quit  the  homes  of 
their  fathers,  and  seek  the  hospitality,  or  endure  the  rigor, 
of  foreign  climes  ;  while  others,  stimulated  by  a  romantic 
spirit  of  adventure — by  ambition,  or  a  thirst  of  gain,  and  al- 
lured by  the  sanguine  representations  of  the  enthusiastic,  or 
the  exaggerated  reports  of  the  interested,  annually  embarked 
their  lives  and  fortunes,  and  swelled  the  population,  and  ex- 
tended the  boundaries,  of  the  infant  colonies.  Such  was  the 
motley  group  who  now  gazed  for  the  first  time  upon  the  blue 


2063517 


4  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

mountains  and  thickly  wooded  shores  of  New-England, 
while,  rapidly  pressed  forward  by  a  favorable  wind,  the  rough 
outlines  of  the  landscape  gradually  assumed  distinctness,  and 
stood  forth  in  all  the  glowing  beauty  and  majestic  grandeur  of 
nature's  coloring. 

Apart  from  his  companions,  stood  a  young  man  whose 
countenance  and  figure  were  singularly  prepossessing.  In 
an  attitude  of  deep  attention,  he  regarded  the  new  world 
which  stretched  around  him — his  dark  eyes  now  sparkling 
with  admiration,  then  softening  into  sadness,  and  again  some 
object  of  sublimity  or  beauty  kindling  the  glow  of  enthusiasm 
on  his  cheek.  To  him  they  seemed  approaching  a  wilder- 
ness, for  already  the  forests  were  enveloped  in  darkness,  and 
the  gigantic  hills  invested  with  the  shadows  of  twilight. 
Presently  a  dim  speck  appeared  on  the  horizon :  it  was  the 
little  village  of  Plymouth,  the  most  ancient  of  the  settlements, 
fast  rising  into  importance,  and  far-famed  for  the  success  and 
enterprise  of  its  inhabitants. 

The  stranger  experienced  a  momentary  disappointment,  as 
he  rapidly  surveyed  the  limited  dimensions  and  rude  archi- 
tecture of  that  new  '  city  of  refuge.'  His  fancy  had  sketched 
scenes  of  Arcadian  loveliness,  and  colored  the  picture  which 
it  drew  with  the  fairy  tints  of  romance  ;  but  he  only  saw, 
rising  from  the  rocky  and  sea-girt  shore,  the  humble  roofs  of 
the  Pilgrims,  clustered  together  in  two  compact  lines,  and 
thinly  shaded  by  native  trees,  each  tenement  encircled  by  a 
patch  of  vegetation,  then  wearing  the  seared  and  fading  hues 
of  autumn.  The  English  colors  waved  gaily  from  the  bat- 
tlements of  a  square  fort,  which  crowned  the  summit  of  a 
commanding  eminence,  and  its  flat  roof  was  paced  by  several 
persons,  who  watched  with  curiosity  the  approaching  vessel. 

1  And  this  is  my  adopted  country  ! '  was  his  first  reflection, 
accompanied  by  a  deep  sigh,  as  his  thoughts  reverted  to  the 


PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  5 

refinements  of  polished  life  to  which  he  had  been  accustomed. 
But  this  involuntary  chagrin  gave  place  to  other  feelings  as 
the  ship  rode  gallantly  into  the  shallow  but  extensive  harbor, 
and  anchored  beneath  the  very  rock  which,  seventeen  years 
before,  received  the  intrepid  band  of  adventurers,  who  had 
forsaken  the  enjoyments  and  comforts  of  civilized  life,  braved 
the  howlings  of  the  wintry  blast,  the  horrors  of  famine,  and 
the  terrors  of  an  unknown  wilderness,  for  '  conscience  sake,' 
reposing  an  unwavering  confidence  in  Him  who  had  hitherto 
sustained  and  kept  them  as  in  the  '  hollow  of  his  hand.' 

Major  Atherton,  in  the  enthusiasm  which  the  scene  in- 
spired, remained  lost  in  a  train  of  reflections,  till  accosted  by 
the  captain  of  the  vessel,  who  inquired  if  he  had  any  friend 
to  welcome  him  on  shore. 

'  No ;  I  am  friendless  and  a  stranger,'  he  replied,  and 
never  had  the  loneliness  of  his  situation  struck  so  forcibly  on 
his  heart ;  for,  looking  around,  he  perceived  the  vessel  was 
almost  deserted,  and  there  were  few  of  his  fellow  passengers 
who  had  not  recognized  some  old  acquaintance,  and  received 
a  cordial  greeting.  The  inhabitants  of  the  town  hastened 
towards  the  ship,  eager  to  learn  tidings  from  the  friends  and 
relatives  they  had  left  in  their  native,  and  still  fondly  remem- 
bered, country  ;  and  it  was  pleasant  to  witness  the  interchange 
of  kind  inquirers,  the  mutual  expressions  of  good-will,  and 
the  heart-felt  earnestness  with  which  they  listened  to  even 
the  minutest  incidents  relating  to  those  with  whom,  though 
perhaps  forever  separated,  they  still  felt  united  by  the  ties  of 
kindred  affection,  the  sweet  sympathies  of  one  common  coun- 
try, and  the  delightful  associations  of  childhood  and  youth. 

Atherton  indulged  but  a  moment  in  gloomy  reflections. 
Naturally  cheerful,  and  always  sanguine,  he  turned  to  the 
captain,  who  still  regarded  him  with  an  air  of  kindness,  and 


6  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

'  Pardon  me,  that  I  have  so  long  trespassed  on  your  pa- 
tience; but  I  feel  like  one  in  a  dream,  to  whom  every  object 
is  strange  and  incongruous ;  we  seem  to  have  passed  the 
threshold  of  earth,  and  to  verge  on  a  new  creation.' 

'  To  me  it  is  not  new,'  replied  his  companion ;  '  I  have 
thrice  before  visited  this  rocky  coast,  and  am  well  known  to 
most  of  the  inhabitants ;  and  if  my  services  can  be  of  use  to 
you,  I  pray  you  to  command  them.' 

'I  thank  you,'  returned  the  young  man,  fervently;  'but  I 
have  one  kinsman  in  this  land  of  strangers,  to  whom  my 
first  respects  are  due; — Captain  Standish,  sir,  with  whom 
you  are  probably  acquainted.  I  am  personally  unknown  to 
him,  but  we  are  nearly  allied  by  blood,  and  I  would  crave 
your  courtesy  to  show  me  the  place  of  his  residence.' 

'  The  military  commander  of  New-Plymouth  ! '  said  the 
captain  ;  '  you  will  find  a  warm  heart,  as  well  as  a  brave  one, 
in  him,  and  I  will  gladly  go  with  you  to  his  house  as  soon  as 
I  can  find  a  moment  of  leisure.' 

So  saying,  they  both  sprang  on  shore,  and  Atherton  con- 
tinued walking  alone  to  and  fro  on  the  beach,  until  the  crowd 
had  dispersed,  and  he  was  rejoined  by  the  captain,  from 
whom  he  learned,  with  chagrin,  that  Captain  Standish  had 
gone  to  the  Massachusetts  Bay  to  transact  some  public  busi- 
ness, and  that  the  period  of  his  return  was  uncertain. 

'It  was  an  unlucky  planet  which  presided  at  my  birth,'  he 
said,  'but  patience  must  be  my  counter-charm  ;  and  so,  if  it 
please  you,  captain,  I  will  return  to  your  floating  castle  to- 
night, and  the  morrow  may  bring  me  better  fortune.' 

They,  however,  continued  to  walk  on  for  a  considerable 
time,  and  almost  in  silence.  It  was  a  mild  evening  in  the 
early  part  of  September,  and,  just  escaped  from  the  monotony 
of  a  long  and  tedious  voyage,  the  bright  and  beautiful  moon- 
light scenery  floated  before  their  eyes  like  a  vision  of 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  7 

enchantment.  Every  object,  half  hid  and  half  revealed  in 
the  pale  and  uncertain  light,  was  mellowed  into  grace  ;  a'nd 
not  a  sound  was  heard,  except  the  sighing  of  the  wind  among 
the  trees  of  the  forest,  which  hung  like  a  cloud  around  the 
skirts  of  the  settlement,  and  the  low  murmuring  of  the 
ocean,  slowly  rolling  its  waves  upon  the  strand.  The  village 
of  Plymouth,  with  its  lowly  houses  and  cultivated  fields,  alone 
interrupted  the  wild  magnificence  of  nature  ;  and,  unimpor- 
tant as  it  seemed  amidst  her  vast  dominions,  was  a  striking 
monument  of  the  enterprise  of  man,  and  the  freedom  and  in- 
dependence of  his  spirit. 

The  scene  produced,  in  the  mind  of  Atherton,  sensations 
of  mingled  awe  and  delight;  he  felt  as  if  translated  to  a 
holier  and  happier  sphere — and,  for  a  while,  the  passions,  and 
hopes,  and  disappointments  of  earth,  were  lost  in  the  novelty 
and  intenseness  of  his  emotions.  He  stopped,  and  gazed 
around  ;  and  his  companion,  who,  if  he  did  not  comprehend 
the  nature  of  his  feelings,  at  least,  forbore  to  interrupt  them, 
retired  within  the  shadow  of  a  dwelling-house,  apart  from 
Atherton,  who  stood  leaning  against  the  twisted  and  gnarled 
trunk  of  a  venerable  oak,  quite  unconscious  of  his  vicinity  to 
the  residence  of  man. 

The  evening  was  far  advanced,  the  busy  hum  of  voices  had 
ceased,  and  a  few  feeble  lights  streaming  through  the  narrow 
casements,  and  then  suddenly  extinguished,  showed  that  the 
inhabitants  were  fast  seeking  their  repose. 

Suddenly  a  low,  sweet  strain  of  vocal  music  stole  upon 
the  ear ; — it  gradually  rose  and  swelled  into  full  cadence,  and 
a  female  voice,  soft,  rich  and  powerful,  predominated  in  a 
slow  and  solemn  tune  of  sacred  melody.  Atherton  started, 
and  looked  around ;  but  his  half-uttered  exclamation  of  sur- 
prise was  interrupted  by  the  captain,  who  softly  approached, 
motioning  him  to  silence. 


8  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'Hush,'  said  he  in  a  whisper,  'or  we  shall  disturb  the 
family,  who  are  now  at  their  evening  worship ;  it  is  the  cus- 
tom here  to  begin  and  close  each  day  with  devotional  exer- 
cises, in  which  the  singing  of  a  psalm  is  included.' 

'  And  whose  voice  is  that,  so  full  of  sweetness  and  harmo- 
ny ? '  asked  Atherton. 

'  It  is  Miriam  Grey's,  the  fairest  maiden  of  New-England,' 
replied  his  friend;  'but  had  we  not  better  withdraw?  I 
would  not,  for  the  world,  be  discovered  loitering  beneath  the 
windows.' 

'Oh  no,  not  yet — hark!  '  said  Atherton,  almost  breathless 
with  attention  ;  and  again  he  listened,  till  the  last  notes  died 
away ;  and  even  then  lingered,  hoping  again  to  hear  the 
voice,  or  at  least  to  catch  a  glimpse,  of  the  fair  musician. 
But  he  waited  in  vain  ; — all  continued  silent,  and,  though  a 
faint  light  showed  the  apartment  in  which  the  family  had  as- 
sembled, they  were  screened  from  observauon  by  a  curtain 
which  hung  against  the  casement.  At  that  moment,  too,  a 
favorite  dog,  who  had  long  shared  the  fortunes  of  Atherton, 
began  to  bark  at  some  offensive  object,  threatening  a  speedy 
discovery  ;  and  he  reluctantly  turned  from  the  spot. 

During  the  remainder  of  their  walk,  Major  Atherton  sunk 
into  a  deep  reverie,  and  his  imagination  was  so  excited  by  the 
events  of  the  evening,  and  the  novelty  of  his  situation,  that 
it  was  long  after  he  had  retired  to  rest  before  sleep  visited  his 
eyelids — and  then,  the  sweet  voice  of  Miriam  Grey  haunted 
his  dreams.  He  awoke,  and  heard  only  the  waves  lashing 
the  sides  of  the  vessel,  and  the  wind  whistling  among  the 
shrouds  ;  and  again  closing  his  eyes  to  exclude  the  day-light 
which  was  beginning  to  steal  into  the  cabin,  he  fell  into  a 
long  and  profound  slumber. 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  9 


CHAPTER    II. 

Scenes  of  woe  and  scenes  of  pleasure, 

Scenes  that  former  thoughts  renew, 
Scenes  of  woe  and  scenes  of  pleasure, 

Now  a  last  and  sad  adieu ! 

BUKNS. 

THE  father  of  Major  Atherton  was  left  an  orphan  in  early 
childhood  ;  and,  with  an  only  sister,  consigned  to  the  guard- 
ianship of  his  maternal  uncle,  Sir  Robert  Fenly,  who,  in 
receiving  his  young  charge  from  the  hands  of  their  dying 
mother,  promised  to  watch  over  them  with  care,  and  faithful- 
ly discharge  the  duties  of  his  interesting  and  responsible 
office, — a  promise  which  he  fulfilled,  at  least,  to  his  own  sat- 
isfaction, by  entrusting  their  education  and  morals  entirely  to 
strangers ;  while,  engaged  in  an  eager  pursuit  of  pleasure, 
which  left  no  leisure  from  its  selfish  and  absorbing  engage- 
ments to  observe  the  intellectual  progress  of  his  wards,  he 
contented  himself  with  ^remarking,  from  time  to  time,  their 
proficiency  in  the  outward  accomplishments  suited  to  their 
rank  and  age,  and  which,  in  his  opinion,  were  alone  of  es- 
sential importance.  But  the  gentleman  he  selected,  as  tutor 
to  his  nephew,  was  fortunately  possessed  of  excellent  princi- 
ples, a  vigorous  understanding,  and  those  attaching  qualities 
of  the  mind  and  heart  which  secured  the  entire  confidence 
and  affection  of  his  pupil,  and  effectually  counteracted  his 
own  pernicious  example. 

Young  Atherton  was  naturally  grave  and  reflective,  but 
cheerful  and  unreserved  in  the  society  of  those  he  loved,  and 
susceptible  of  a  depth  and  ardor  of  attachment,  which  could 
only  be  appreciated  by  those  who  knew  him  most  intimately. 


10  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Deeply  feeling  the  indifference  of  his  uncle,  whose  blind  par- 
tiality to  an  only  son  seemed  to  exclude  every  other  object  of 
regard  from  his  heart,  and  with  few  natural  ties  to  interest 
his  affections,  they  became  almost  entirely  centered  in  his  sis- 
ter. Miss  Atherton  regarded  her  brother  with  enthusiastic 
tenderness  ;  she  was  gay,  innocent  and  lovely ;  and,  till  her 
seventeenth  year,  scarcely  experienced  a  pleasure,  of  which 
he  was  not  the  source,  or  participator.  But,  at  that  time, 
Atherton  began  to  watch  the  progress  of  a  still  stronger  and 
more  engrossing  passion  ;  nor  was  it  without  many  painful  ef- 
forts he  could  reconcile  himself  to  the  idea  that,  in  future,  her 
heart  would  be  devoted  to  another,  and  their  pursuits  and  in- 
terests no  longer  united.  But  he  was  destined  to  receive  a 
deeper  and  more  lasting  wound.  The  week  previous  to  that 
appointed  for  her  marriage,  Miss  Atherton  was  seized  with  a 
violent  disorder,  which  brought  her  to  an  untimely  grave,  in 
the  spring-tide  of  life  and  beauty,  when  all  around  her 
breathed  of  love  and  happiness,  and  the  future  seemed  strewed 
with  thornless  and  unfading  flowers. 

The  health  and  spirits  of  Atherton  sunk  under  the  wither- 
ing blow ;  nor  was  it  till  months  of  wretchedness  had  passed 
away,  that  a  new  misfortune  aroused  the  dormant  energy  of 
his  mind.  Sir  Robert  Fenly  died  suddenly,  leaving  his  af- 
fairs in  a  state  of  extreme  derangement,  and  his  improvidence 
and  dissipation  had  not  only  ruined  himself,  but  induced  him 
to  borrow  freely  from  the  inheritance  of  his  ward,  to  support 
his  extravagance  and  pay  the  arrears  of  the  gaming  table  ; 
and  though  he  probably  intended  to  refund  it  before  his 
nephew  became  of  age,  death  surprised  him  in  the  midst  of 
his  days,  with  his  plan  and  schemes  unaccomplished,  and  all 
that  remained  of  a  once  noble  fortune,  was  an  entailed  estate, 
which  descended  to  his  son  and  heir. 

These  tidings  awoke  Atherton  from  his  lethargy  of  grief. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  11 

Stript  at  once  of  independence,  and  by  the  hand  which  ought 
to  have  cherished  his  interests,  he  felt  the  necessity  of  imme- 
diate exertion,  and  the  effort  happily  diverted  his  mind  from 
the  calamity  which  had  long  entirely  occupied  it.  Inclina- 
tion decided  him  to  embrace  the  profession  of  arras,  and  he 
obtained  an  Ensign's  commission  in  a  regiment  of  foot,  then 
quartered  in  the  village  of ,  in  Lancashire. 

Atherton  there  became  acquainted  with  Eleanor  Standish, 
the  heiress  of  an  ancient  family,  whose  hereditary  estates 
were  watered  by  the  Douglas  ;  and,  deeply  touched  by  the 
charms  of  her  mind  and  person,  he  for  the  first  time  felt  the 
full  extent  of  his  uncle's  injustice.  It  was  no  longer  in  his 
power  to  offer  her  an  establishment  suitable  to  her  rank  and 
expectations  ;  and,  too  generous  to  seek  her  affections  under 
circumstances  which  must  involve  her  in  difficulties,  he  with- 
drew, in  doubt  and  sadness,  from  her  dangerous  society. 

The  pacific  reign  of  James  the  First  admitted  few  opportu- 
nities for  military  distinction ;  and,  eager  to  engage  in  active 
duty,  and  acquire  an  honorable  rank  in  his  profession,  Ather- 
ton obtained  a  furlough  and  repaired  to  Holland,  then  the 
scene  of  contention  between  the  disciples  of  Calvin  and  Ar- 
minius,  each  of  whose  followers  had  resorted  to  the  sword  to 
decide  their  controversy. 

The  intrepid  bravery  of  the  young  Ensign,  united  with  a 
prudence  and  judgment  beyond  his  years,  procured  him  the 
favor  of  the  Prince  of  Orange,  who  distinguished  him  by  his 
personal  regard,  and  rewarded  his  services  by  promoting  him 
to  the  command  of  a  regiment.  But  amidst  the  bustle  of  a 
camp,  Eleanor  Standish  retained  her  influence  over  his  imag- 
ination, and  occupied  his  thoughts  in  every  moment  of  repose  ; 
for  nearly  two  years  he  had  been  self-banished  from  her  pres- 
ence, and  anxiety  respecting  her  often  weighed  heavily  on  his 
spirits  :  he  was  therefore  rejoiced  when  a  suspension  of  hos- 


12  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

tilities  at  length  permitted  him  to  retire  from  the  field,  and  re- 
turn to  his  native  country. 

Colonel  Atherton,on  arriving  in  England,  proceeded  direct- 
ly to  Lancashire,  impatient  of  a  moment's  delay,  until  he 
reached  the  residence  of  Miss  Standish.  As  he  rode  through 
the  stately  avenue,  and  looked  wistfully  at  the  mansion 
which  used  to  be  hospitably  thrown  open  to  admit  the 
stranger,  he  was  struck  by  the  gloom  and  silence  that  sur- 
rounded it,  and  something  like  a  melancholy  foreboding 
damped  the  ardor  of  expectation.  He  knocked  long  and 
loudly  at  the  door  before  he  could  make  himself  heard,  and  it 
was  at  last  opened  by  an  old  domestic  whose  countenance  was 
familiar  to  him,  though  changed  and  sorrowful  since  the  days 
when  he  had  last  seen  it.  His  inquiries  respecting  the  fami- 
ly were  minute,  but,  though  he  had  fancied  himself  prepared 
for  the  worst,  he  was  inexpressibly  shocked  by  the  intelligence 
he  received. 

Eleanor  Standish  had  embraced  the  tenets  of  the  Puritans, 
and,  with  some  others  of  her  distinguished  house,  formally 
renounced  the  faith  and  worship  of  her  ancestors.  Her  far- 
ther, incensed  at  her  conduct,  and  unable  to  effect  a  change 
in  her  newly  adopted  opinions,  which  were  fixed  by  the  dic- 
tates of  conscience,  banished  her  from  his  presence,  and  be- 
queathed his  whole  estate  to  a  distant  branch  of  the  family. 
But  a  few  months  of  loneliness,  succeeded  by  a  mortal  ill- 
ness, softened  his  heart  towards  his  only  child,  and,  in  his 
last  hours,  she  was  again  folded  in  his  embrace,  and  blessed 
with  his  forgiveness.  The  arguments  of  the  interested  and 
prejudiced,  however,  had  persuaded  him  that  it  would  be 
criminal  to  leave  his  fortune  at  the  disposal  of  one  who  would, 
doubtless,  appropriate  it  to  the  use  of  a  sect  which  had  al- 
ready set  at  defiance  the  established  laws  and  religion  of  their 
country  ;  and  he,  therefore,  made  no  alteration  in  his  will, 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  13 

but  added  a  codicil,  which  left  his  daughter  heiress  to  her 
mother's  estate,  sufficient  to  render  her  independent,  but  not 
rich.  Eleanor  was  too  happy  at  being  restored  to  her  far- 
ther's  affection,  to  regret  the  loss  of  superfluous  wealth,  though 
it  was  not  without  deep  and  painful  emotion  that  she  bade 
farewell  to  the  home  of  her  youth,  and  retired  to  the  house  of 
a  widowed  relative  in  a  distant  part  of  the  country. 

Colonel  Atherton  listened  with  interest  to  the  simple  tale  of 
the  garrulous  domestic.  He  had  been  taught  from  childhood 
to  believe  the  Church  of  England  infallible,  and  that  on  the 
existence  of  its  forms  and  privileges  depended  the  security  of 
the  crown,  and  all  that  was  valuable  to  a  loyalist.  He  had 
viewed  with  abhorrence,  not  unmixed  with  contempt,  the  sur- 
prising increase  and  firm  resistance  of  the  non-conformists, 
and  conceived  it  the  bounden  duty  of  every  faithful  subject, 
to  check  their  audacious  pretensions.  With  these  sentiments, 
he  naturally  heard,  with  the  keenest  disappointment,  that 
Eleanor  Standish  had  united  herself  to  that  despised  and  per- 
secuted sect ;  and,  fondly  as  he  loved  her,  pride  and  principle 
revolted  from  the  idea  of  receiving  a  Puritan  for  the  bosom 
companion  of  his  future  life. 

Still,  however,  he  would  not,  at  once,  relinquish  his  long- 
cherished  hopes,  nor  would  he  believe  it  possible  that  one  so 
young  and  gentle  could  long  remain  blinded  by  the  spirit  of 
fanaticism.  He  resolved,  at  all  events,  to  see  her  once  more, 
were  it  only  from  respect  to  the  memory  of  her  father,  and 
sympathy  in  her  own  misfortunes ;  and  during  his  rapid 
journey  thither,  he  almost  persuaded  himself  that  these  were 
the  leading  objects  of  his  visit. 

Colonel  Atherton  felt  his  heart  beat  quicker  as  he  drew 

near  her  sequestered  dwelling ;  and,  whatever  had  been  his 

feelings  and  resolutions,  prejudice  vanished,  and  creeds  and 

sects  were  forgotten,  when  he  found  himself  again  and  alone 

2 


14  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

in  the  presence  of  his  beloved  Eleanor.  She  looked  paler 
than  formerly,  and  her  countenance  was  pensive  almost  to 
sadness ;  but  her  smile  was  as  sweet  as  ever,  and  her  blush- 
ing confusion,  more  eloquent  than  language,  revealed  the  un- 
told secret  of  her  heart. 

Colonel  Atherton,  too  happy  to  think  of  reason  or  resolve,' 
yielded  to  the  impulse  of  passionate  tenderness,  and  whis- 
pered a  tale  of  love,  and  hope,  and  constancy,  which  drew 
from  her  lips  a  confession  that  her  affections  had  been  long 
devoted  to  him — nor  did  she  shrink  from  a  firm,  but  modest, 
avowal  of  the  principles  she  had  adopted  in  the  earnestness  of 
sincere  conviction,  candidly  acknowledging  that  no  worldly 
advantage  would  ever  tempt  her  to  forsake  them  ;  and  her 
lover,  convinced  that  arguments  would  be  vain,  freely  conced- 
ed to  her  the  rights  of  conscience,  and  promised  her  the  full 
exercise  of  her  religious  principles  and  worship. 

Their  union,  which  shortly  took  place,  proved  happy  be- 
yond the  common  lot  of  mortals,  and  though  Colonel  Atherton 
had  probably  indulged  the  hope,  that  the  tacit  influence,  or 
mild  persuasions,  of  the  husband,  would  eventually  restore 
his  wife  to  the  bosom  of  the  church,  a  more  intimate  know- 
ledge of  her  character  satisfied  him  that  the  opinions  she  had 
deliberately  chosen  would  continue  to  guide  her  through  life. 
Mrs.  Atherton  was  firm, but  not  bigoted;  and,  though  strong- 
ly attached  to  her  own  creed,  was  far  from  condemning  all 
others  as  erroneous.  She  reverenced  the  virtues  of  her  hus- 
band, and  happily  exercised  the  rare  prudence  to  avoid  all  re- 
ligious controversy  with  him  ;  while  he,  though  unwavering 
in  his  faith,  could  not  but  respect  the  doctrines  which  she  so 
beautifully  exemplified  by  a  life  of  uniform  and  unobtrusive 
piety  and  benevolence. 

This  mutual  forbearance  and  liberality  produced  the  de- 
sired effect  on  the  mind  of  their  only  child,  who,  though 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  15 

educated  in  the  forms  of  the  Established  Church,  honored  the 
more  austere  principles  of  his  mother,  and  listened,  with  sub- 
missive attention,  to  the  pure  and  virtuous  precepts  which 
distilled,  like  the  'dews  of  Hermon,'  from  her  lips.  His 
mind  thus  unprejudiced,  and  left  to  the  guidance  of  reason 
and  Scripture,  in  all  matters  of  mere  nominal  importance, 
escaped  the  infection  of  party  spirit,  which  excited  so  much 
rancor  during  his  youth,  and  afterwards  burst  forth  and  sub- 
verted the  pillars  of  church  and  state. 

Edward  Atherton  grew  up  gay,  spirited  and  handsome  ; 
with  all  the  vigor  and  enthusiasm  of  his  father's  character, 
happily  tempered  by  the  vivacity  and  gentleness  of  his 
mother's.  Educated  in  retirement,  and  accustomed  to  little 
society  beyond  his  family  circle,  he  entered  into  manhood 
with  an  ingenuous  and  well-disciplined  mind,  a  sanguine  and 
adventurous  disposition,  and  spirits  buoyant  with  hope  and 
happiness.  Active  in  his  pursuits,  he  betrayed  an  early  pre- 
dilection for  a  military  life,  and,  though  not  without  many 
scruples,  his  parents  at  length  consented  to  his  wishes,  and, 
at  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  received  a  Lieutenant's  commis- 
sion, in  a  regiment  then  commanded  by  his  father.  The 
regiment  soon  after  received  orders  to  sail  with  the  army  of 
the  Duke  of  Buckingham,  to  succor  the  Huguenots  of  Ro- 
chelle ;  and,  in  that  ill-starred  expedition,  both  father  and  son 
were  distinguished  by  their  courage  and  address ;  but  Colonel 
Atherton  received  a  mortal  wound  in  the  engagement,  and 
died  a  few  hours  after  in  the  arms  of  his  afflicted  son. 

Edward  Atherton,  stricken  in  heart  with  the  irreparable 
loss  he  had  sustained,  returned  to  the  desolate  mansion  of 
his  mother  with  the  fatal  intelligence  ;  and,  though  it  was 
disclosed  to  her  with  the  utmost  precaution,  the  shock  pro- 
duced an  effect  upon  her  health  and  spirits,  from  which  she 
never  entirely  recovered. 


16  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Atherton's  talents  and  zeal  in  his  profession  acquired  him 
many  friends,  and  he  was  advanced  to  the  rank  of  Major  far 
sooner  than  he  had  anticipated ;  but,  though  surrounded  by 
every  allurement  to  pleasure  and  dissipation,  his  principles 
were  untainted,  and  his  heart  ever  turned,  with  affectionate 
solicitude,  to  the  scenes  of  his  earliest  enjoyments ;  and,  in 
every  interval  of  duty,  he  flew  to  their  quiet  shades,  and  al- 
most regretted  when  the  call  of  honor  again  forced  him  from 
the  society  of  his  beloved  parent. 

Mrs.  Atherton  survived  her  husband  several  years.  They 
were  passed  in  profound  retirement,  but  filled  up  with  active 
duties — employed  in  noiseless  efforts  to  promote  a  cause  in 
which  she  believed  the  interests  of  religion  involved — in 
works  of  charity  and  benevolence,  particularly  towards  the 
persecuted  Puritans,  who  were  relieved  by  her  bounty,  and 
often  sheltered  beneath  her  roof.  In  the  meridian  of  her 
days  she  awaited  with  perfect  composure  the  expected  mo- 
ment of  her  departure  from  a  world  which  had  ceased  to 
charm,  happy  in  the  virtue  and  prosperity  of  her  son,  and 
soothed  in  the  last  stages  of  a  lingering  decline  by  his  affec- 
tionate and  unwearied  attention.  Never  was  a  parent  more 
deeply  and  justly  lamented;  and  it  was  fortunate  for  Major 
Atherton  that  professional  engagements  drew  him  from  the 
indulgence  of  his  solitary  grief. 

Public  events  at  that  time  engaged  the  attention  of  every 
one,  and  the  affairs  of  the  kingdom  seemed  daily  assuming  a 
more  dark  and  threatening  aspect.  The  number  and  influ- 
ence of  the  Puritans  was  rapidly  augmenting.  Far  from 
being  intimidated  by  threats,  they  opposed  a  determined  and 
zealous  resistance  to  the  arbitrary  measures  which  the  im- 
politic obstinacy  of  Charles,  instigated  by  the  implacable 
Archbishop  Laud,  had  adopted.  An  alarming  insurrection 
had  taken  place  in  the  Scottish  Capital,  when,  in  compliance 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  17 

with  a  royal  mandate,  an  attempt  was  made  to  read  the  Lit- 
urgy in  its  churches,  and  already  a  military  force  was  regard- 
ed by  many  as  indispensably  necessary  to  crush  the  power 
and  check  the  progress  of  the  rebels. 

Major  Atherton  was  firmly  attached  to  his  father's  religion, 
and  would  cheerfully  have  encountered  death  to  advance  the 
interests  of  his  sovereign,  and  the  glory  of  his  country.  But 
his  conscience  revolted  from  the  idea  of  aiding  in  a  war  of 
persecution  against  an  inoffensive  sect  of  Christians,  who 
claimed  nothing  but  the  privilege  of  enjoying  their  opinions 
unmolested,  and  of  sharing,  with  their  fellow  subjects,  the 
protection  of  the  government,  to  which  they  acknowledged 
allegiance.  Respect  for  the  memory  of  his  mother,  and  sub- 
duing recollections  of  her  tenderness,  her  purity,  her  unaf- 
fected piety,  strengthened  these  lenient  sentiments.  He  could 
not  cherish  harsh  and  groundless  prejudices  against  a  sect 
which  she  had  loved,  and  his  father  had  favored  ;  and,  though 
he  was  daily  accustomed  to  hear  them  derided  and  denounced, 
his  judgment  remained  unbiassed,  and,  in  spite  of  arguments 
and  raillery,  and  against  interest  itself,  he  remained  con- 
vinced that  their  cause  was  just,  however  mistaken,  and  that 
the  rights  of  conscience  were  too  sacred  to  be  infringed  by 
the  arbitrary  will  of  a  monarch. 

Still,  however,  an  ardent  love  of  his  profession,  and  the 
natural  desire  to  attain  the  honors  which  tempted  his  ambition, 
and  seemed  within  his  grasp,  struggled  long  and  powerfully 
against  the  convictions  of  reason  and  conscience.  But  the 
generous  impulse  of  a  candid  and  well-principled  mind  final- 
ly prevailed  over  every  selfish  consideration,  and  determined 
him  to  resign  his  commission,  and  with  it  the  dreams  of 
glory  which  had  so  long  delighted  his  imagination. 

Major  Atherton  returned  to  Lancashire,  depressed  in 
spirits,  and  his  father's  house,  no  longer  cheered  by  the  smiles 


18  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

of  those  he  had  so  fondly  loved,  awakened  the  most  melan- 
choly reminiscences.  He  had  few  around  him  to  excite  in- 
terest or  affection,  and,  in  relinquishing  the  active  duties 
which  had  so  long  occupied  his  attention,  he  felt  as  if  he  had 
resigned  the  gay  and. busy  world,  and  had  no  object  worthy 
of  pursuit  and  exertion.  With  such  sombre  feelings,  the 
winter  passed  away  drearily  enough ;  but  a  dejection  so 
foreign  to  his  natural  disposition  could  not  long  retain  its  in- 
fluence, and  the  return  of  spring,  with  its  train  of  rural  plea- 
sures and  varied  occupations,  gradually  withdrew  his  thoughts 
from  the  past.  An  unexpected  occurrence  also  took  place, 
which  gave  a  new  impulse  and  direction  to  his  mind. 

Mr.  Fullerton,  an  intelligent  young  man  who  had  resided 
several  years  in  the  colony  of  New-Plymouth,  just  at  that 
time  chanced  to  revisit  England,  and  frequently  met  with 
Major  Atherton  at  the  house  of  a  mutual  friend.  Warm 
and  sanguine  in  his  feelings,  he  confidently  believed  that 
New-England  would  soon  become  the  most  happy  and  favored 
region  of  the  earth  ;  and  he  painted  its  charms  and  advan- 
tages with  an  enthusiasm  which  completely  dazzled  the  imag- 
ination of  Atherton.  Mr.  Fullerton,  without  dreaming  of 
such  an  effect,  was  daily  imbuing  him  with  a  portion  of  his 
own  spirit;  and,  from  repeated  conversations  respecting  the 
early  colonists  of  America,  he  began  to  wish  himself  trans- 
ported to  their  land  of  simple  habits  and  uncorrupted  morals. 
It  was  not  long  before  these  incipient  desires  became  con- 
firmed and  active ;  and  Major  Atherton,  romantic,  fond  of 
novelty  and  adventure,  and  rapid  in  his  decisions,  made 
speedy  preparations  for  a  voyage  to  the  western  world.  Mr. 
Fullerton  was  pleased  with  his  determination,  and  regretted 
that  he  could  not  accompany  him ;  but  business  detained  him 
in  England,  whence  it  was  his  intention  to  proceed  to  the 
Continent,  and  the  period  of  his  return  was  uncertain. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  19 

Major  Atherton,  eager  to  execute  his  project,  committed  his 
affairs  to  a  trusty  agent,  and  hastened  to  Falmouth,  where  a 
vessel  was  in  readiness  to  cross  the  Atlantic.  He  arrived 
there  just  in  time  to  secure  a  passage.  In  a  few  moments 
the  moorings  were  loosed,  and  the  white  cliffs  of  his  native 
land  receded  fast  from  his  view.  He  stood  with  his  eyes  fixed 
on  the  shore  he  had  left,  perhaps  forever,  till  the  highest 
stretch  of  land  dwindled  to  a  point,  and  hung  like  a  light 
cloud  in  the  distant  heavens,  and  at  last  faded  from  his  sight. 
He  looked  around — the  vessel  pursued  its  tranquil  course, 
cutting  the  deep  green  waves,  and  leaving  far  behind  a  foamy 
track :  a  strong  breeze  swelled  the  canvass,  and  all  around 
the  circling  horizon,  the  vast  ocean  mingled  with  the  blue  and 
cloudless  sky. 


20  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER    III. 


-A  man  in  chiefest  trust, 


Whose  life  was  sweet  and  conversation  just, 
Whose  parts  and  wisdom  most  men  did  excel ; 
An  honor  to  his  place,  as  all  can  tell. 

NEW  ENGLAND'S  MEMORIAL. 

THE  day  after  his  arrival  at  Plymouth,  Major  Atherton  deliv- 
ered several  letters  of  introduction,  with  which  Mr.  Fullerton 
had  furnished  him,  and  among  others,  one  to  Mr.  Winslow, 
then  governor  of  the  colony.  He  was  received  by  that  gentle- 
man with  the  most  cordial  hospitality,  and  so  earnestly  solici- 
ted to  remain  his  guest,  at  least,  till  he  had  arranged  his  future 
plans,  that  Atherton  could  not  without  an  appearance  of  affec- 
tation refuse  the  offered  courtesy.  It  was  indeed,  a  courtesy 
truly  grateful  to  his  feelings.  Exhausted  by  the  fatigues  of  a 
long  voyage,  and  cast  on  a  world  of  strangers,  the  society  of 
an  intelligent  friend,  and  the  comforts  of  a  well-ordered  family, 
were  peculiarly  soothing  to  his  spirits.  The  unobtrusive  at- 
tentions of  all  around  him,  which  delicately  inferred  that  they 
received  rather  than  bestowed  obligations,  and  the  ease  with 
which  he  found  himself  included  in  their  domestic  arrange- 
ments, removed  from  his  mind  every  idea  of  intrusion,  and  he 
soon  felt  as  perfectly  at  home,  and  free  from  restraint,  as  if 
only  renewing  an  intercourse  with  early  and  familiar  friends. 
Mr.  Winslow,  himself  an  experienced  traveler,  had  too  often 
enjoyed  the  kindness  of  strangers  not  to  appreciate  its  value, 
and  the  native  benevolence  of  his  heart  led  him  to  embrace 
every  opportunity  to  confer  on  others  such  civilities,  as  he  had 
gratefully  received,  under  various  circumstances,  during  his 
eventful  life.  A  zealous  adherent  to  the  principles  of  the  non- 


PEEP    AT    THE  PILGRIMS.  21 

conformists,  he  attached  himself  to  the  church  at  Leyden,  and 
embarked  with  the  first  adventurers,  for  the  then  inhospitable 
region  of  North  America.  Possessed  of  uncommon  activity 
and  address,  a  sound  judgment  and  discriminating  mind,  he 
acquired  great  influence  with  the  colonists,  and  was  early  as- 
sociated with  others  of  approved  worth,  in  the  management  of 
their  civil  affairs.  Every  action  of  his  life  was  dictated  by  the 
purest  motives,  and  rendered  subservient  to  their  interests,  and 
the  advancement  of  that  religion,  for  which  they  had  made 
such  astonishing  sacrifices.  His  prudence  and  gentleness 
rendered  him  particularly  agreeable  to  the  Indians,  with  whom 
he  was  often  selected  to  negociate ;  and  the  goodness  of  his 
heart  and  lenity  of  his  disposition  were,  perhaps,  as  useful  in 
maintaining  harmony  with  them,  as  the  more  prompt  and  se- 
vere measures  of  the  military  commander. 

Mr.  Winslow,  at  the  time  of  Major  Atherton's  introduction 
to  him,  was  still  in  the  prime  of  life ;  he  had  experienced 
many  vicissitudes  of  fortune,  and,  in  traveling  through  various 
countries,  had  acquired  an  intimate  knowledge  of  human  na- 
ture, and  that  variety  of  information,  which  rendered  him  a 
most  useful  and  entertaining  companion.  There  was  in  his 
manners  nothing  of  the  gloom,  so  generally,  and,  too  often, 
justly  attributed  to  the  Puritans ;  and  Atherton  ceased  to  re- 
member the  distinctions  of  party,  in  the  freedom  of  social  in- 
tercourse, and  the  interchange  of  liberal  and  enlightened  sen- 
timents. 

At  the  hour  of  sunset, — for  it  was  Saturday — the  labors  of 
the  week  were  ended,  and  the  Sabbath  commenced.  Every 
worldly  employment  was  suspended,  and  the  children  forsook 
their  playthings,  and  gathered  in  submissive  silence  around 
the  knees  of  their  parents.  Books  of  devotion,  religious  con- 
versation, and  instruction  filled  up  the  evening ;  and  at  the 


22  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

customary  hour,  the  assembled  family  united  in  the  evening 
sacrifice  of  prayer  and  thanksgiving. 

It  was  so  long  since  Major  Atherton  had  enjoyed  the  luxu- 
ry of  a  neat  and  quiet  bed,  that  he  would,  perhaps,  have 
slept  till  an  unseasonable  hour  on  the  following  morning,  had 
he  not  been  awakened  by  a  concert  of  young  voices  in  an  ad- 
joining apartment.  They  were  audibly  repeating  their  Sab- 
bath lessons ;  and  every  now  and  then,  a  young  urchin,  more 
learned  than  his  brethren,  assumed  the  office  of  prompter, 
though  generally  hushed  to  silence  by  the  mild  command  of 
Mrs.  Winslow. 

Atherton  thought  it  rather  uncomfortable  to  rise  before  the 
sun  in  a  chilly  September  morning  ;  but  civility  required  him 
to  observe  the  regulations  of  the  house,  and  he  hastened  to  join 
the  family  in  the  sitting  room.  The  duties  of  that  holy  day, 
as  of  every  other,  were  commenced  with  religious  exercises  ;  a 
practice  which  the  early  settlers  of  New-England  never  omit- 
ted, though,  like  many  others,  which  were  their  '  glory  and 
defence,'  it  has  since  become  unfashionable,  and,  of  course, 
too  generally  disregarded.  Breakfast  immediately  followed, 
and  all  the  children,  as  usual  on  Sunday,  enjoyed  the  privilege 
of  sitting  at  table,  and  sharing  the  wheaten  loaf  and  a  basin  of 
chocolate,  instead  of  their  daily  nutritious  fare  of  milk  and  In- 
dian bread.  Every  countenance  beamed  with  cheerfulness 
and  contentment ;  and  Atherton  thought  he  had  never  seen  a 
more  interesting  family  group. 

At  the  accustomed  hour,  the  governor  and  his  whole 
household  repaired  to  church,  or  rather  to  meeting,  for  that 
was  the  term  which  the  dissenters  substituted  for  one  that 
savored  too  much  of  prelacy.  The  public  funds  had  not  yet 
permitted  the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship,  but  the  fort  al- 
ready mentioned,  which  crowned  the  summit  of  a  hill  in  rear 
of  the  village,  had  been  prepared  for  that  purpose.  It  was 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  23 

built  with  two  stones;  the  upper,  planted  with  ordnance  and 
flanked  with  battlements,  and  in  the  lower,  benches  were  ar- 
ranged to  accommodate  the  audience,  with  a  desk  elevated  at 
one  extremity  for  the  minister,  and  just  below  it,  seats  for  the 
ruling  elders  or  deacons. 

Thither  the  inhabitants  of  the  town  were  hastening,  all  ar- 
rayed in  their  best  attire  ;  mothers  leading  their  tottling  little 
ones,  and  young  people  supporting  their  aged  parents,  whom, 
no  considerations  short  of  absolute  necessity  could  detain  from, 
the  public  duties  of  the  day.  Atherton  was  struck  with  the 
air  of  reverence  and  respect  with  which  every  one  seemed  to 
approach  the  house  of  God  ;  no  news  was  circulated,  no  scan- 
dal whispered,  no  dress  or  fashion  discussed,  and  even  the 
mirthful  faces  of  the  children  had  assumed  an  expression  of 
gravity  and  reflection. 

The  people  bowed  respectfully  as  Mr.  Winslow  and  his 
family  entered,  and  passed  on  to  their  usual  places  ;  the  gov- 
ernor's rank  entitling  him  to  the  upper  seat  with  the  maigis- 
trates,  while  the  females  ranged  themselves  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  edifice,  separated  by  a  broad  passage  from  the 
other  sex.  Major  Atherton,  according  to  the  usage  of  the 
church,  remained  a  few  moments  absorbed  in  mental  devotion, 
from  which  he  was  roused  by  a  deep  groan  from  an  elderly 
female,  accompanied  by  a  look  of  horror,  which  could  scarce- 
ly have  been  more  profound  had  the  whole  hierarchy,  or  the 
Pope  himself,  stood  before  her.  Reminded  by  the  incident 
that  he  was  not  in  an  English  chapel,  but  amidst  a  congrega- 
tion of  Puritans,  who  regarded  the  least  approach  to  episcopa- 
cy with  as  much  abhorrence  as  an  act  of  sacrilege,  he  resolved 
to  abstain  from  a  practice  which  occasioned  so  much  offence, 
and  would  probably  excite  many  prejudices  against  him.  As 
these  reflections  were  rapidly  crossing  his  mind,  Mr.  Reyner, 
the  clergyman,  a  man  of  grave  and  solemn  deportment,  en- 


24  PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

tered  the  assembly.  He  commenced  the  duties  of  his  sacred 
office  with  a  devout  and  fervent  prayer,  and  then  selected  a 
psalm  from  the  unharmonious  version  of  the  day,  which  he 
briefly  expounded,  for  the  benefit  of  the  ignorant  and  the  pre- 
vention of  any  false  interpretation.  One  of  the  elders  then 
arose  and  read  the  first  line,  when  all  the  audience  who  could, 
and  many  who  could  not  sing,  united  their  melody  to  the 
words,  and  having  completed  the  line,  another  was  read,  and 
so  on  through  the  psalm. 

Strangely  as  this  intermixture  of  reading  and  music  sound- 
ed in  the  ears  of  Atherton,  he  was  impressed  with  the  deep 
devotion  which  seemed  to  animate  every  countenance,  as  they 
thus  mingled  their  hearts  and  voices  in  the  praises  of  their 
Maker.  There  was  a  touching  eloquence  in  this  simple  wor- 
ship, that  he  had  seldom  felt  when  listening  to  the  most  skill- 
ful performance  that  ever  woke  the  tones  of  the  organ,  amidst 
the  more  imposing  ceremonies  of  his  national  religion.  An 
extemporaneous  discourse  succeeded  this  vocal  harmony  ;  and, 
though  not  copiously  sprinkled  with  the  flowers  of  oratory,  it 
breathed  a  spirit  of  ardent  piety,  and  strongly  enforced  the  ob- 
servance of  moral  duty,  with  a  scrupulous  regard  to  the  pecu- 
liar tenets  of  the  sect.  This  sermon,  which,  in  matter  and 
dimensions  exceeded  half  a  score  of  modern  ones,  at  length 
drew  to  a  close  ;  and  the  singing  of  another  psalm  concluded 
the  services. 

In  this  last  exercise,  Major  Atherton  was  strangely  attracted 
by  a  sweet  and  powerful  voice,  which  sometimes  soared  above 
the  others,  and  then,  as  if  shrinking  from  the  melody  it  cre- 
ated, murmured  into  silence,  and  again  rose  and  mingled  in 
the  general  strain.  It  came  over  his  memory  like  a  half  for- 
gotten dream  of  enchantment;  nor  was  it  till  the  lapse  of  sev- 
eral moments  that  he  could  identify  it  with  the  one  which 
had  so  lately  held  him  lingering  beneath  the  windows  of  Mir- 


PEBP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  25 

iam  Grey.  He  looked  around  for  the  object  which  unexpect- 
edly revived  the  interest  then  so  strongly  excited ;  and, 
directed  by  the  same  bewitching  tones,  his  eye  rested  on  a 
figure  of  uncommon  delicacy  and  grace,  closely  enveloped  in 
the  folds  of  a  silken  scarf,  which,  with  a  hood  of  the  same 
material,  completely  baffled  his  curiosity.  Yet  there  was 
something  superior,  Atherton  thought,  something  more  taste- 
ful, in  short  indescribable,  about  this  female — young  she  must 
be,  and  how  beautiful  he  longed  to  know — which  riveted  his 
attention.  Occupying  a  seat  nearly  parallel  to  her  own,  he 
could  watch  every  movement  without  altering  his  posfiion  so 
much  as  to  occasion  remark;  and  the  unconscious  girl  little 
suspected  with  what  diligence  every  article  of  her  dress  and 
every  motion  of  her  person  was  scanned. 

As  soon  as  the  congregation  was  dismissed,  with  a^leseing 
from  the  pastor,  Atherton,  in  his  haste  to  intercept  her  retreat, 
and  so  obtain  a  glimpse  of  her  face,  overturned  a  seat  against 
the  unlucky  shins  of  a  curly-pated  boy,  who,  forthwith,  set  up 
a  cry  which  resounded  through  the  building,  and  fixed  the 
eyes  of  every  one  'upon  them.  Miriam  Grey,  turned  of 
course,  and  Atherton  saw  peeping  from  beneath  her  hood,  a 
pair  of  laughing  blue  eyes,  with  the  features  and  complexion 
of  a  Hebe.  Her  cheeks  were  dimpled,  with  smiles,  which 
seemed  excited  by  his  disaster ;  but  the  instant  s}he  met  his 
fixed  and  admiring  gaze,  she  moved  away,  with  a  deep  and 
almost  painful  blush.  Atherlon  could  scarcely  regret  an  ac- 
cident, which  had  crowned  his  wishes  with  succeas  ;  but  he 
felt  bound  in  conscience  to  offer  an  apology  for  his  careless- 
ness, and  if  possible,  to  pacify  the  still  sobbing  child,  who  was 
kicking  lustily,  in  utter  contempt  of  the  tender  caresses  of 
several  venerable  damsels,  who  had  gathered  about  him,  and 
whose  sympathy  seemed  to  have  a  most  perverse  en%?t  upon 
his  temper. 

3 


26  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Major  Atherton,  however,  found  his  interference  quite  un- 
availing ;  and,  as  he  was  looking  round  for  Governor  Wins- 
low,  his  step-son,  Peregrine  White,  came  towards  him,  with  a 
countenance  which  showed  how  highly  he  was  diverted  by 
the  passing  scene.  They  left  the  house  together,  and,  as  they 
descended  the  hill,  the  quick  eye  of  Peregrine  readily  detect- 
ed the  eagerness,  with  which  his  companion  continued  to  re- 
gard the  figure  of  Miriam  Grey,  who  tripped  lightly  on  before 
them. 

'  There  goes  the  handsomest  lass  in  Plymouth,'  said  the 
youth;  'and  there,  too,  is  the  sanctimonious  Benjamin  Ashly 
walking  by  her  side,  whom  her  father  wants  her  to  marry, 
because  he  is  gifted,  and  makes  a  speech  almost  every  Sab- 
bath day  at  meeting,  which  generally  lasts  till  the  congrega- 
tion are  well  nigh  all  asleep.' 

'  A  powerful  recommendation  truly  ! '  returned  Atherton, 
4  and  is  it  likely  to  prove  successful  with  the  damsel  ?  ' 

'It  maybe  so,' replied  the  other;  but  she  is  a  sly  little 
witch,  and  nobody  can  find  out  yet ;  I  believe  Master  Ashly 
himself  is  as  much  at  a  loss  to  know  as  any  one.' 

'That  respectable  looking  man,  to  whom  she  is  now  speak- 
ing, is  her  father,  I  presume  ?  '  said  Atherton. 

'  Yes,  and  the  most  rigid  sprig  of  orthodoxy  that  ever 
walked  in  the  steps  of  Calvin  ;  he  is  thought  a  '  burning  and 
shining  light'  in  the  church  here,  but  I  confess  there  is 
too  much  smoke  about  it,  to  enlighten  my  path,  at  least.' 

'  I  am  afraid  you  are  willfully  blind,'  said  Atherton  smiling ; 
'  but  has  he  been  a  long  time  in  New-England  ? ' 

'  Oh  yes,  he  came  over  in  the  May-flower,  with  the  first 
company  of  settlers,  and  brought  with  him  his  wife,  and  Mir- 
iam, then  scarcely  a  year  old,  and  her  cousin  Lois,  whom  you 
see  leaning  on  her  arm.  Mrs.  Grey,  I  have  heard  my  mother 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  27 

say,  was  very  delicately  brought  up,  and  did  not  many  years 
survive  the  change  of  climate  and  situation.' 

Mr.  Grey  and  his  family,  at  that  moment,  reached  the  door 
of  their  residence  ;  and,  shortly  after,  Atherton  and  Peregrine 
White  entered  the  house  of  Governor  Winslow. 

Peregrine  White  was  a  tall,  handsome  youth  of  seventeen, 
with  a  frank,  intelligent,  and  very  animated  countenance, 
which  was  perfectly  characteristic  of  his  disposition.  He  was 
the  first  English  child  born  in  New-England,  and  his  birth 
took  place,  while  the  vessel,  which  had  brought  the  Pilgrims 
to  a  frozen  coast,  was  lying  exposed  to  the  severity  of  the  sea- 
son, before  they  had  found  a  spot  to  rest  upon,  or  a  shelter 
for  their  wives  and  little  ones.  But  neither  these  gloomy  cir- 
cumstances, nor  the  hardships  to  which  his  childhood  was 
exposed,  had  left  any  traces  on  his  mind ;  he  was  gay  and 
thoughtless,  loved  a  frolic  better  than  any  thing  else,  and 
though  perfectly  good  humored  and  affectionate,  so  inconsid- 
erate as  to  involve  himself  in  frequent  difficulties,  and  occa- 
sion constant  anxiety  to  his  friends.  His  father  died  soon 
after  his  arrival  at  Plymouth  ;  and,  in  the  following  spring, 
Mrs.  White  was  united  to  Mr.  Edward  Winslow,  whose  wife 
had  fallen  a  victim  to  the  sickness,  which  carried  away  more 
than  half  their  numbers,  during  the  preceding  winter ;  and 
this  was  the  first  marriage  that  was  celebrated  in  the  col- 
ony. 

Peregrine  White  drew  his  hand  over  his  face  with  a  whim- 
sical expression,  as  he  threw  open  the  parlor  door  ;  and  then, 
with  the  utmost  gravity  and  composure,  followed  Major  Ath- 
erton into  the  room.  The  family  were  shortly  re-assembled, 
and  partook,  rather  sparingly,  of  some  light  refreshments 
which  were  placed  before  them.  Mrs.  Winslow  apologized 
to  her  guest  for  not  having  provided  a  dinner,  observing  that 
it  was  an  established  custom  with  the  colonists  to  refrain  from 


28  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

unnecessary  labor  on  the  Lord's  day,  that  their  domestics 
might  enjoy  the  privilege  of  public  worship,  to  which  they  were 
equally  entitled  with  themselves. 

After  an  hour's  intermission  they  returned  to  the  meeting- 
house ;  and  the  afternoon  services  differed  considerably  from 
those  in  the  former  part  of  the  day.  The  puritans,  on  leaving 
their  native  country,  adopted  many  opinions  and  modes  of 
teaching,  -suited  perhaps,  to  their  peculiar  situation,  but  un- 
practiced  by  their  brethren  in  England.  Being  at  first  desti- 
tute of  clergymen,  the  ruling  elders,  and  others  in  esteem, 
were  obliged  io  exercise  their  gifts  to  edify  the  people ;  a 
practice  which  became  too  common,  and  fften  misused,  even 
after  the  settlement  of  a  minister. 

instead  of  a  regular  discourse,  the  Governor  arose,  and  pro- 
pounded a  question,  touching  certain  controverted  doctrines 
of  their  creed,  and  was  answered  in  a  brief  and  comprehen- 
sive manner  by  the  pastor.  Mr.  Brewster,  a  ruling  elder,  then 
exhorted,  or  prophesied,  as  it  was  called,  in  a  style  of  persua- 
sive eloquence,  and  with  a  force  and  clearness  of  expression, 
which  always  distinguished  his  public  teaching,  and  usually 
carried  conviction  to  the  heart  and  understanding  of  his  hear- 
ers. He  was  followed  by  several  of  the  congregation,  and, 
among  others,  Benjamin  Ashly  spoke,  at  some  length,  with 
a  zeal  not  exactly  according  to  knowledge,  and  which  Ather- 
ton  thought  strongly  tinctured  with  arrogance  and  self-con- 
ceit. He  certainly  attended  with  more  interest  to  the  father 
of  Miriam  Grey,  whose  strongly  marked,  and  rather  severe 
countenance,  energetic  manner,  and  bold  and  searching  lan- 
guage, rendered  him  a  meet  representative  of  the  eminent  re- 
former, whose  doctrines  he  so  strenuously  advocated.  The 
assembly  was  then  reminded  of  their  duty  in  contributing  to 
the  support  of  the  church,  and  the  necessities  of  the  poor ; 
when  all  advanced  to  the  deacon's  seat,  and  put  their  mites 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  29 

into  the  bag  destined  to  receive  the  offering.  The  singing  of 
psalms  also  formed  a  part  of  the  exercises,  and  Atherton 
again  listened  to  a  voice,  which  had  twice  charmed  him  with 
its  sweet  melody,  though  he  fancied  that  Miriam  Grey  cau- 
tiously avoided  his  observation;  and,  whether  from  accident 
or  design,  he  was  unable  to  obtain  another  view  of  her  fea- 
tures. 

'  You  will  find  our  religious  customs  and  opinions  some- 
what singular,  Major  Atherton,'  observed  the  Governor,  when 
they  had  left  the  house  ;  '  but  I  hope  there  has  been  nothing 
unpleasant  to  your  feelings,  though  I  am  aware  that  our  ideas 
essentially  differ.' 

'  Perhaps  not  so  very  essentially,  sir,'  returned  Atherton  : 
'  you  will  recollect  that  my  mother  was  a  dissenter,  and  I 
should  feel  a  regard  for  her  religion,  even  if  my  own  experi- 
ence did  not  bear  witness  to  the  purity  ahd  rectitude  of  many 
of  its  professors,  and  the  wisdom  and  piety  which  have  adorn- 
ed their  lives.' 

'  Many  judicious  and  good  men,'  said  Mr.  Winslow,  '  have 
objected  to  the  practice  of  prophesying,  as  it  is  generally  used 
amongst  us,  and  which  is  allowed  in  no  other  churches  of 
New-England.  It  is  a  truth,  and,  to  our  reproach  be  it  spok- 
en, that  dissensions  have  already  disturbed  our  peace,  and 
grievous  wolves  have  entered  into  the  fold,  and  divided  the 
sheep  of  the  flock.' 

'  Do  you  attribute  these  divisions,'  asked  Atherton,  '  to  the 
admission  of  the  custom  alluded  to.' 

'  In  a  certain  degree ; '  returned  the  Governor  ;  « were  the 
liberty  of  speaking,  subject  to  particular  regulations,  and  con- 
fined to  men,  who  like  Elder  Brewster,  are  gifted  with  the 
spirit  of  grace,  and  prepared  by  education  and  habit,  it  would 
doubtless  tend  to  edification  ;  and,  in  the  early  period  of  the 
settlement,  it  was  our  only  method  of  public  Christian  instruct 
3* 


30  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

tion.  But,  in  later  days,  many  godly  ministers,  who  have 
"  cast  in  their  lot  "  with  us,  have  been  discouraged  by  find- 
ing their  office  assumed  by  brethren,  who  vainly  imagine 
themselves  qualified  to  exhort,  and  thus  a  "door  of  conten- 
tion "  has  been  opened,  which  our  adversaries  have  not  failed 
to  use  to  our  disadvantage,  and  sometimes  to  the  hindrance 
of  gospel  ordinances.' 

'  I  thought,'  said  Atherton,  '  that  here,  at  least,  the  church 
was  at  rest,  aad  that  those  free  and  virtuous  spirits  who 
braved  so  much  for  liberty  of  conscience,  and  the  enjoyment  of 
their  religious  privileges,  were  now  reaping  the  reward  of 
their  laudable  exertions,  and  sitting  quietly  under  "  their  own 
vine  and  fig-tree.'" 

'  They  have  done  all  that  fallible  men  judged  right  and 
suitable,'  replied  the  Governor ;  '  and,  though  perfection  and 
complete  success  are  not  the  portion  of  earth,  we  may  still  be 
permitted  to  hope  that  what  we  have  "  sown  in  tears,"  we 
shall  hereafter  "reap  in  joy,"  and  that  He  who  has  "planted 
a  vine,"  in  this  wilderness,  will  not  cease  to  water  it  with  his 
blessing.  We  are  deemed  enthusiasts,  Major  Atherton  '  he 
added  with  a  smile  ;  'but  slight  disappointments  will  never 
discourage  those  whose  hearts  are  truly  interested  in  a  great 
design  ;  and  I  trust  that  our  children,  and  children's  children, 
even  to  the  remotest  posterity,  will  eat  of  the  fruit  of  the  tree, 
which  we  have  rooted  and  nourished,  and  that  New-England 
will  yet  became  the  most  favored  country  of  the  world,  even 
that  "  happy  land,  whose  God  is  the  Lord."  ' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  31 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Grave  in  council, 

Firm  in  resolve,  invincible  in  arms  ; 
Yet  jocund  in  the  hour  of  ease,  he  lov'd 
The  merry  jest  and  laughing  brow  of  youth. 

IN  the  course  of  a  week,  Captain  Standish  returned  to  Plym- 
outh, and  being  apprised  of  his  kinsman's  arrival,  during  his 
absence,  for  even  in  those  early  days  the  good  people  found 
some  leisure  to  discuss  the  affairs  of  the  village — he  sent  a 
message  to  the  Governor's,  desiring  Major  Atherton  to  visit 
him  as  soon  as  he  found  it  convenient  and  agreeable. — 
Atherton's  curiosity  to  see  a  man,  who  was  regarded  by  the 
colonists  as  a  second  Joshua  for  valor  and  address,  induced 
him  to  accept  the  invitation,  without  delay.  Peregrine  White 
attended  him  as  guide  on  the  occasion,  and,  after  a  walk  of 
eight  miles,  they  reached  the  house  of  his  relative  just  in  the 
dusk  of  twilight. 

Peregrine  White  led  the  way  without  ceremony,  into  a  large, 
low  apartment,  brightly  illuminated  by  a  huge  fire,  which  was 
blazing  on  a  hearth  occupying  no  inconsiderable  part  of  the 
room,  and  which  diffused  a  cheerful  warmth,  peculiarly  agree- 
able in  a  cool  autumn  evening.  One  recess  of  the  chimney 
corner  was  occupied  by  a  stout  Indian  dressed  after  the  Eng- 
lish fashion,  with  the  addition  of  a  wampum  belt,  and  other 
savage  ornaments,  strangely  blended  with  his  European  cos- 
tume. A  fowling  piece  rested  beside  him,  and  on  a  ledge,  over 
the  fire-place,  lay  his  still  smoking  pipe,  which  seemed  to  have 
been  put  aside,  while  he  satisfied  the  cravings  of  hunger  from 
a  pewter  basin  of  savory  pottage,  occasionally  adding  a  relish 
from  the  carcass  of  a  fowl  which  garnished  his  lap.  His 


32  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

bold  features  were  composed  into  the  gravity,  peculiar  to  his 
race,  and  his  tawny  complexion  was  rendered  more  dark  by 
the  fitful  light  of  the  flame,  which  now  flashed  upon  it,  and 
again  left  him  involved  in  shadow. 

Captain  Standish,  the  early  hero  of  New-England,  was 
seated  in  a  three-corned  elbow  chair,  beside  a  round  oaken 
table,  discussing  the  merits  of  a  brace  of  partridges,  from 
which,  with  the  assistance  of  some  dried  fish,  and  a  quantity 
of  Indian  cakes,  he  was  preparing  to  make  a  hearty  supper. 
His  repast  was  shared  by  his  only  son,  a  robust  lad,  while 
two  surly  mastiffs  sat  erect  on  each  side  of  them,  with  their 
eyes  fixed  wistfully  on  the  well-filled  platters. 

Captain  Standish  was  small  of  stature,  but  his  well-propor- 
tioned figure,  denoted  great  agility  and  muscular  strength  ; 
his  features  were  spirited  and  intelligent,  his  eyes  dark  and 
piercing,  and  his  whole  countenance  indicated  a  frank  and 
hasty  temper,  an  active  and  decisive  mind,  and  a  warm  and 
sanguine  disposition. 

This  group  was  first  apprised  of  the  approach  of  visitors, 
by  the  portentous  growling  of  the  dogs,  who  inhospitably  at- 
tacked the  defenceless  favorite  of  Major  Atherton,  which  had 
followed,  or  rather  preceded  him  into  the  room. 

'  Come  away  Towser,  down  with  you,  Bess,'  cried  the  Cap- 
tain in  a  loud  voice,  '  shall  I  never  teach  you  to  be  civil ! ' — 
'  Ah,  is  it  you,  Master  Peregrine,'  he  added,  on  seeing  his 
young  acquaintance  enter, '  well,  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  though 
you  do  always  bring  noise  and  confusion  with  you.' 

'  Thank  you,  Captain,'  said  Peregrine  White  :  '  but,  as  it 
happens,  I  find  the  noise  already  here,  for  once,  and  have 
brought  with  me  something  which  I  think  will  be  more  accept- 
able.' 

'  Ah,  my  cousin  Atherton  ! '  exclaimed  the  Captain,  rising 
briskly  from  the  table,  and  seizing  his  hand,  without  the  cere- 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  33 

mony  of  an  introduction  !  '  you  are  truly  welcome  to  Plym- 
outh, though  I  am  sorry  I  was  not  here  to  tell  you  so  sooner ; 
but  sit  down  now,  and  we  shall  be  better  acquainted  over  our 
soldiers'  fare,  if  you  will  share  it  with  me.' 

'  I  am  used  to  a  soldier's  fare,'  returned  Atherton,  '  and  thank 
you  for  a  soldier's  welcome  ;  but  I  should  judge  from  the  ap- 
pearance of  your  trencher,  that  your  campaigns  had  been 
made  in  a  fruitful  land  ;  a  camp  does  not  often  furnish  such  a 
profusion  of  good  things.' 

'  True,'  replied  the  Captain,  '  the  Dutch  burgomasters  know, 
as  well  as  most  people,  how  to  regulate  their  palates  ;  and  I 
served  long  with  them  in  the  days  of  our  good  queen  Eliza- 
beth. But  we  will  try  what  is  set  before  us  now,  if  you 
please,  Major  Atherton.'  '  Alexander,  my  lad,  get  up  and 
give  your  kinsman  a  seat ;  are  you  so  hungry  as  to  forget 
your  manners.' 

The  boy,  with  a  very  good  grace,  arose  and  placed  the  chairs 
for  the  guests,  and  the  important  business  of  eating,  was  shortly 
resumed  with  alacrity. 

'  We  want  a  light  here,'  said  Captain  Stand ish,  again  at- 
tacking the  partridges  ;  '  Hobomock,  throw  away  your  pipe  ; 
it  may  not  be  quite  so  agreeable  to  every  one,  as  it  is  to  you 
and  me ;  and  give  us  a  candle  here  quickly;  we  are  none  of 
us  owls  to  see  in  the  dark.' 

The  Indian  rolled  a  column  of  smoke  from  his  mouth, 
knocked  the  ashes  from  his  pipe  upon  the  hearth,  and  gravely 
rising,  obeyed  the  Captain's  command.  He  then  threw  some 
dry  wood  into  the  fire,  which  sent  forth  a  crackling  sound,  and  a 
heat  that  penetrated  to  every  recess  of  the  apartment;  after 
turning  his  eyes  deliberately  round  the  room,  to  ascertain  if 
any  thing  else  required  his  attention,  reseated  himself  on  a 
wooden  stool,  to  dose  away  the  evening. 

The  candle,  which  had  been  placed  on  the  table}  first  dis- 


34  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

tinctly  revealed  to  Captain  Standish  the  features  of  his  kins- 
man ;  he  examined  them  a  moment  in  silence,  and  then  ob- 
served, 

'  I  see  you  have  true  Standish  blood  in  your  veins,  Ma- 
jor Atherton  ;  and  I  can  now  trace  in  your  countenance  a 
strong  resemblance  to  my  cousin  Eleanor,  though  it  is  many 
long  years  since  we  met.  She  was  just  sixteen,  when  I  left 
England,  and  the  comeliest  lass  in  Lancashire.  Many  a 
joyous  hour  have  we  passed  together  in  the  halls  of  our  fathers  ; 
but  I  little  thought,  when  I  last  bade  her  farewell,  that  I 
should  never  see  her  or  my  country  more.' 

'My  mother  often  spoke  of  you,  sir,'  returned  Atherton, 
'  and  always  with  affectionate  interest ;  but  I  was  then  far 
from  anticipating,  that  we  should  ever  sit  down  together  in 
this  remote  region  of  the  earth.' 

*  It  is  the  fortune  of  war  to  encounter  sudden  reverses,'  re- 
plied the  Captain ;  '  but  you  have  reached  a  quiet  land  at 
last,  though  if  you  love  your  profession,  our  savage  neighbors 
will  contrive  to  keep  your  sword  from  rusting.' 

'  My  sword  and  best  services  will  ever  be  at  the  command 
of  any  who  stand  in  need  of  them,'  returned  Atherton  ;  '  but 
I  have  resigned  my  commission  in  the  army,  and  expect,  in 
future,  to  lead  a  retired  and  private  life.' 

'  Well,  we  can  find  employment  that  will  suit  you  in  either 
case,  if  you  like  to  remain  with  us.  Your  mother  has  brought 
you  up  in  her  own  religion,  I  hope.' 

'  No,  I  am  of  the  Church  of  England.' 

'  Humph,  that  is  unlucky  ;  but  you  need  not  make  much 
stir  about  it ;  be  regular  and  peaceable,  and  no  one  has  a 
right  to  intermeddle  with  your  conscience,  though,  to  be  sure, 
the  good  people  here  are  rather  fond  of  doing  such  things. 
But,  may  I  ask,  have  you  any  particular  plans  to  execute.' 

'  None  at  all.     I  am  at  present  a  citizen  of  the  world  ;  and 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  35 

have  traveled  hither,  from  mere  curiosity,  and  the  want  of 
other  employment.  I  admire  the  country,  as  far  as  I  have 
seen  it ;  am  charmed  with  the  simplicity  and  goodness  of 
those  who  inhabit  it ;  and,  if  nothing  occurs  to  change  my 
feelings,  may  yet  sojourn  with  you,  for  a  long  time.' 

'  Admirable ! '  cried  the  Captain,  rising  and  leading  the 
way  to  the  fire.  '  I  think  we  shall  fix  you  here,  for  life.  I 
tell  you,  cousin  Atherton,  there  is  no  country  in  the  world  so 
happy,  or  that  will  be  so  glorious,  as  New-England.  Had 
you  seen  it  in  1620,  when  we  landed,  famishing  and  almost 
frozen,  you  might  have  turned  back  a  longing  eye  to  the  good- 
ly fields  of  England  ;  but,  by  the  blaze  of  this  warm  fire,  and 
on  the  strength  of  our  evening's  meal,  I  think  we  can  arrange 
a  better  prospect  for  you.' 

'  And  what  shall  I  do  to  keep  myself  out  of  mischief  ?'  ask- 
ed Atherton.  '  I  have  been  used  to  an  active  life,  which  gave 
constant  exercise,  both  to  my  mind  and  body.' 

'  We  will  contrive  to  amuse  you,  through  the  winter,'  an- 
swered the  Captain ;  '  and,  in  the  spring,  you  can  learn  to  till 
a  farm,  and  provide  for  a  family,  when  you  have  one,  which 
will  be  exercise  enough.' 

'Rather  more  than  I  had  anticipated,'  said  Atherton,  smil- 
ing ;  '  a  wife  is  a  blessing  I  have  scarcely  thought  of  as 
yet.' 

'  It  is  a  thought,  which  is  very  apt  to  run  in  a  young  man's 
head,  though,'  replied  the  Captain,  '  at  least,  till  he  is  fairly 
tied  to  one.  But  we  will  not  hurry  you,  in  that  matter ;  though 
I  can  shew  you  as  comely  maidens,  and  as  prudent  ones, 
withal,  as  you  could  meet  with,  in  Old  England  itself.' 

'  Now  I'll  wager  any  thing,  Captain,'  said  Peregrine  White, 
'  that  you  are  thinking  of  Miriam  Grey ;  but  Major  Atherton 
has  seen  her  already.' 

'  What,  seen  my  little  rose-bud,  Major  Atherton  ! '  said  the 


36  PEEP     AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 

Captain.  '  You  are  a  true  soldier,  to  be  looking  about  for 
pretty  damsels,  as  soon  as  you  get  into  new  quarters.' 

'  It  was  quite  accidental,'  returned  Atherton  ;  '  and,  after 
all,  only  a  momentary  glimpse,  at  church.' 

'  There  was  no  lack  of  peeping,  though,'  rejoined  Peregrine, 
archly ;  '  but  her  new  hood  is  unluckily  a  very  close  cover- 
ing; don't  you  think  so,  Major  ? ' 

'  Never  mind,  Peregrine,'  said  the  Captain  significantly  ; 
'  as  Benjamin  Ashly  is  to  be  her  husband,  what  does  it  signi- 
fy ;  '  while  he  spoke,  he  fixed  his  keen  eye  on  Atherton,  who, 
without  exactly  knowing  why,  turned  his  towards  the  fire. 

'  And  what  news  do  you  bring  us  from  England,  Major  ?  ' 
resumed  Captain  Standish,  after  a  moment's  pause. 

'  None  particularly  interesting,  I  believe,'  answered  Ather- 
ton : — '  indeed,  I  have  lived  almost  out  of  the  world,  for  the 
last  few  months  ;  and,  to  confess  the  truth,  have  been  too 
much  engrossed  by  my  own  concerns,  to  observe  what  was 
passing  around  me.' 

'  Well,  and  our  good  king  Charles  has  lost  none  of  his  ob- 
stinacy, I  suppose;  I  doubt  you  would  have  heard  of  that.' 

'  Not  enough,  I  fear,  for  his  own  good,  or  the  welfare  of 
his  subjects.  His  hereditary  zeal  for  kingly  prerogative  is 
likely  to  prove  a  fruitful  source  of  evils  to  the  kingdom.' 

'  So  I  thought;  and  that  comes  of  having  an  obstinate  fa- 
ther, and  a  papist  wife ;  the  former  he  could  not  help,  the 
more's  the  pity ;  and  for  the  last,  the  Lord  help  us  ;  but  the 
women  will  have  their  own  way  ;  they  would  rule  us  all,  if 
they  could,  cousin  Atherton.' 

'  Yet  queen  Henrietta  is  a  beautiful  and  accomplished  wo- 
man, with  a  high  and  dauntless  spirit,  worthy  of  her  descent 
from  the  most  illustrious  monarch,  who  ever  sat  on  the  throne 
of  France.' 

'  So  much  the  worse,  if  her  husband  cannot  govern  it,'  per- 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  37 

sisted  the  Captain  ;  '  but  that  Archbishop  Laud, — is  he  fining, 
imprisoning,  and  persecuting  yet?' 

'  I  did  hear  that  a  warrant  had  been  issued,  at  his  instiga- 
tion, to  prevent  any  non-conformist  ministers  from  leaving 
England ;  and  the  severities  exercised  against  the  laity  of 
that  persuasion,  are  also  attributed  to  his  influence.  Great 
numbers  have  sold  their  estates,  and  intend,  shortly,  to  em- 
bark for  America.' 

'  It  is  an  ill  wind  that  blows  nobody  good,'  said  Peregrine 
White,  who  thought  it  was  quite  time  for  him  to  speak ;  '  I 
hope  they  will  help  us  to  clear  out  the  wilderness,  when  they 
get  here.' 

'  The  great  hurricane  of  last  year,'  replied  the  Captain, 
'  felled  a  good  many  trees  ;  and,  if  it  had  moved  them  out  of 
the  way,  I  should  have  made  more  speed  on  my  journey 
homeward.  And  now  tell  me,  Peregrine,  what  you  have  been 
doing  since  I  left  Plymouth  ?  ' 

4  Me  !  Captain  ?     I  have  been  hunting,  and  fishing,  and' — 

'  And  all  sorts  of  good-for-nothing  things,  I  warrant  thee, 
jack-a-napes,'  interrupted  the  Captain  ;  '  I  don't  mean  you,  but 
the  town,  the  colony,  Master  Peregrine.' 

'Why  just  what  they  have  been  doing  ever  since  I  came 
into  it,'  returned  Peregrine  ; '  but  I  hope  you  have  brought 
something  to  entertain  us,  from  the  Massachusetts.' 

'  I  heard  of  nothing  there,'  said  the  Captain,  '  but  Mrs. 
Hutchinson,  who  has  set  them  all  in  a  flame,  and  the  new 
Governor,  with  whom  some  are  already  discontented.  He 
has  taken  great  state  upon  himself,  and  goes  to  the  court 
and  meeting  with  four  sergeants  walking  before  him,  carry- 
ing halberds  in  their  hands.  Mr.  Winthrop,  who  spent  his 
fortune  in  the  service  of  the  people,  had  more  humility  ;  and, 
I  do  believe,  this  Governor  Vane,  in  spite  of  his  quality,  and 
his  grave  visage,  and  clipped  head,  is  imposing  on  them.' 
4 


38  PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

<  And  what  are  they  doing  to  Mrs.  Hutchinson  ? '  enquired 
Peregrine  White — 

'  Doing  to  her!'  returned  the  Captain  with  some  warmth, 
'  what  they  fled  from  England  to  avoid  themselves  !  These 
Massachusetts  are  a  meddling  people,  and  they  seem  to  have 
grown  so  fond  of  persecution,  since  they  escaped  from  the 
reach  of  it,  that  they  have  a  mind  to  try  its  efficacy  in  their 
own  church,  and  undertake  to  discipline  whomsoever  they 
choose.  God  knows  there  is  little  enough  of  charity  in  our 
colony ;  but  it  is  some  comfort  to  find  we  are  not  quite  so  bad 
as  our  neighbors.' 

'  Who  is  this  female,'  asked  Atherton,  '  and  of  what  crime 
has  slie  been  guilty,  to  draw  upon  herself  so  much  reproach  ?' 
'  The  crime  of  thinking  differently  from  her  opposers,'  said 
the  Captain.  '  She  is  a  respectable  gentlewoman,  and  her 
husband  was  long  a  representative  in  the  court.  But  she  is 
now  accused  of  teaching  false  doctrines,  holding  unlawful 
meetings,  and  divers  other  misdemeanors  ;  and  the  whole 
country  is  divided  into  parties,  for  and  against  her.  I  am 
sure  it  is  no  such  strange  thing  for  a  woman's  head  to  be  fill- 
ed with  idle  notions  ;  and,  if  the  magistrates  would  only  let  her 
alone,  she  would  soon  come  to  her  senses ;  but,  I  am  told,  she 
is  to  be  tried  by  a  council,  and,  it  is  thought,  will  be  banished 
from  the  colony.' 

'  Well,  peace  go  with  her ! '  exclaimed  Peregrine  White, 
1 1  only  hope  she  will  not  come  here;  for  we  have  meetings 
and  exhortations  enough  now,  to  keep  the  elders  employed, 
and  Benjamin  Ashly  too.  But  did  you  hear  any  thing  about 
the  Pequods,  Captain  ?  It  is  reported  here,  that  they  have 
murdered  John  Oldham  at  Block  Island,  and  are  detected  in 
plotting  against  the  English.' 

'It  is  true;  the  traitorous  savages!'  said  the  Captain, 
'  and  instead  of  treating  for  peace  with  them,  the  whole  race 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  89 

ought  to  be  exterminated.  Oldham  was  a  pestilent  fellow,  to 
be  sure,  but  that  is  no  reason  why  he  should  be  hacked  up, 
when  trading  peaceably  with  them,  in  their  own  country.' 

'Was  the  unfortunate  man  alone,'  asked  Atherton,  '  when 
the  crime  was  perpetrated  ?  ' 

'  No,  he  had  with  him  two  boys,  and  as  many  Narraganset 
Indians,  whose  lives  were  all  spared.  The  master  of  a  bark 
from  Connecticut,  accidentally  fell  upon  the  wretches,  soon 
after  the  deed  was  accomplished,  and,  assisted  only  by  a  man, 
and  two  lads  who  were  with  him,  retook  Oldham's  vessel, 
which  was  filled  with  hostile  Indians,  several  of  whom  were 
drowned  in  attempting  to  escape.  Block  Island  is  subject  to 
the  Narraganset  tribe  ;  but  they  seem  to  have  had  no  hand  in 
the  murder,  which  was,  doubtless,  instigated  by  the  Pequods, 
with  whom  the  offenders  have  sought  refuge.' 

'  Have  no  farther  attempts  been  made  to  punish  the  mur- 
derers ? '  asked  Atherton. 

'Yes,  the  Governor  of  Massachusetts  sent  fourscore  men, 
under  Captain  Endicot  of  Salem,  with  offers  of  peace,  if  they 
would  give  them  up  ;  but  after  parleying  for  some  time,  they 
refused,  and  fled  into  the  woods.' 

'  And  Captain  Endicot  pursued  them,  I  hope,'  said  Pere- 
grine. 

'  No,  he  burnt  their  wigwams,  destroyed  their  corn,  staved 
their  canoes,  and  returned  home  to  seek  more  comfortable  win- 
ter quarters.  I  wish  I  had  been  there,'  continued  the  Captain, 
with  earnestness  ;  '  not  a  dog  of  them  should  have  escaped  ; 
I  know  their  metal  well ;  and,  though  generally  fearless  of 
death,  a  few  dauntless  Englishmen  can  put  half  a  tribe  of 
them  to  flight.  These  savages,  Major  Atherton,  are  so  per- 
fidious, that  no  treaty  can  bind  them;  and  so  jealous  of  us,  as 
to  aim  continually  at  our  total  ruin.  Many  a  foul  plot  has 
been  revealed  to  us  ;  and,  in  the  days  of  our  feebleness,  no- 


40  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

thing  but  the  watchful  providence  of  God  preserved  us  from 
their  evil  designs.' 

•  And  your  own  valor,  Captain,'  observed  Peregrine  White  ; 
<  you  always  forget  to  bring  that  into  the  account.  But  I  can 
tell  Major  Atherton,  how  you  went  with  only  eight  men,  to 
the  settlement  of  Wessagusset,  which  was  filled  with  Indians, 
and  boldly  attacked  the  sachems  Wittuwamet  and  Pecksuot, 
who  were  the  terror  of  the  whole  land ;  and  a  great  many 
other  wonderful  stories.' 

«  Yes,  yes,'  interrupted  the  Captain,  impatiently,  '  nobody 
doubts  your  ability  to  tell  wonderful  stories,  Peregrine.  I 
have  had  proof  enough  of  it  from  your  youth  up.  But  there 
is  Hobamock  nodding  in  the  corner,  and  Alexander  fast  asleep 
on  a  bench  yonder.  The  boy  seems  wearied  by  his  long 
march  yesterday ;  and,  in  truth,  his  young  legs  have  never 
executed  so  much  in  one  day  before.' 

'  And  I  had  forgotten,'  said  Atherton,  rising,  '  that  you  had 
been  traveling  so  lately,  and  must  need  repose  ;  indeed,  the 
evening  has  passed  so  pleasantly,  that  I  scarcely  thought  of 
returning.' 

'  Oh,  we  think  lightly  of  a  walk  through  the  woods,  once 
or  twice  a  year,  to  the  Massachusetts,'  said  the  Captain,  '  and 
should  be  half  ashamed  to  acknowledge  ourselves  fatigued  by 
it.  But  you  must  not  leave  me  to  night,  cousin  Atherton  ;  I 
have  a  bed  ready  for  you,  such  as  it  is,  and  you  will  not  for- 
sake the  house  of  your  kinsman,  for  a  stranger's  roof.' 

'  I  scarcely  feel  that  any  are  strangers  here,'  returned  Ath- 
erton ;  '  I  have  been  treated  with  so  much  kindness  and 
attention ;  but  the  Governor  expects  me  to  return,  and  I 
cannot  leave  his  hospitable  family  with  so  little  ceremony.' 

1  Yes,  you  must,  indeed,  go  home  with  me,'  said  Peregrine 
White,  '  or  you  will  disappoint  us  all ;  to-morrow,  you  know, 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  41 

we  are  to  have  some  sport  in  the  shooting  way,  and  the  next 
day—' 

'  Oh  your  endless  plans,'  interrupted  the  Captain,'  I  tell 
you,  young  man,  they  will  some  day  bring  you  into  mis- 
chief.' 

'  Well,  I  know,  Captain,  you  will  do  your  best  to  get  me 
out  of  it.' 

'  Not  I,  at  least,  till  you  have  suffered  enough  for  your  folly 
to  cure  you  of  it,  which  will  be  no  brief  period.  And  now, 
Major  Atherton,  promise  to  come  back,  to-morrow,  and  take 
up  your  abode  with  me.' 

'  To-morrow,  then,'  said  Atherton,  '  I  will  see  you  again.' 
And  cordially  shaking  hands,  they  parted. 

Peregrine  White  lingered  a  moment  behind  while  Captain 
Standish  attended  Atherton  to  the  outer  door ;  and,  feeling 
his  habitual  love  of  mischief  prevail,  adroitly  contrived  to  roll 
the  sleeping  Alexander  upon  the  floor.  He  fell  with  a  dead 
weight  on  one  of  the  surly  mastiffs,  which  set  up  a  howl  that 
awakened  his  companion,  who  instantly  joined  in  the  chorus, 
producing  a  confusion  of  sounds,  that  speedily  recalled  the 
Captain  and  Atherton  to  the  room.  They  entered,  just  as  the 
lad  was  scrambling  up,  with  a  somniferous  growling,  and  the 
Indian,  roused  by  the  noise,  was  starting  on  his  feet,  and  in- 
stinctively seizing  his  fowling  piece.  His  straight  black  hair, 
which  had  been  discomposed  by  his  recumbent  posture,  stood 
almost  erect,  and  his  dark  eyes  rolled  wildly  round,  as  if  seek- 
ing the  cause  of  the  unusual  commotion.  Captain  Standish 
quickly  discovered  the  author  of  the  bustle  ;  but  his  intention 
of  rebuking  the  culprit  vanished,  the  moment  he  saw  him, 
and  his  gravity  yielded  to  a  fit  of  laughter,  in  the  midst  pf 
which  Peregrine  White  made  his  esc  ^e. 
4* 


42  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGBIMS. 


CHAPTER    V. 

From  the  crown  of  his  head,  to  the  sole  of  his  foot,  he  is  all  mirth ;  he  hath 
a  heart  as  sound  as  a  bell,  and  his  tongue  is  the  clapper ;  for  what  his  heart 

thinks,  his  tongue  speaks. 

SHAKSPEARK. 

THE  broad  disk  of  the  sun  was  just  visible  above  the  hori- 
zon, when  Major  Atherton  and  Peregrine  White,  with  their 
fowling  pieces  and  dogs,  left  the  house  to  engage  in  the  pro- 
jected sports  of  the  day. 

They  were  accompanied,  a  short  distance,  by  the  Governor, 
whose  agricultural  pursuits  often  required  his  early  attend- 
ance in  the  field  of  labor  ;  for,  like  the  Roman  Cincinnatus, 
the  primitive  rulers  of  New-England  were  accustomed  to  min- 
gle the  useful  arts  of  husbandry  with  the  higher  duties  of  their 
office.  Elected  by  a  grateful  people,  not  from  the  prejudices 
of  party  spirit,  or  the  piltry  attractions  of  outward  state;  but 
for  sterling  qualities  of  the  mind,  piety  of  heart,  and  rectitude 
and  uprightness  of  character,  they  presided  with  dignity,  and 
commanded  respect,  alike  in  the  council  chamber,  and  in  the 
more  humble  duties,  and  familiar  intercourse  of  life.  Am- 
bition had  hot  then  assumed  the  mask  of  patriotism,  nor  were 
the  unprincipled  and  licentious,  elevated  to  the  '  high  places  ' 
of  the  land. 

As  Mr.  Winslow  and  his  companions  pursued  their  walk, 
they  were  continually  greeted  by  the  inhabitants  of  the  vil- 
lage, who  were  scattering  abroad  on  their  daily  vocations  ;  and 
Atherton  remarked  with  pleasure,  the  cordial  salute  of  the 
Governor,  equally  removed  from  pride  and  meanness,  and  the 
respect  and  hearty  good-will  with  which  it  was  returned.  He 
involuntarily  compared  it  with  the  fatiguing  splendors  of  roy- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  43 

ally,  and  the  often  heartless  shouts  of  applause,  which  follow 
the  steps  of  a  monarch  ;  and  his  already  favorable  preposses- 
sions of  the  country  were  augmented  by  the  comparison. 
They  rested  a  few  moments,  on  the  summit  of  a  hill  beyond 
the  town ;  and  while  Peregrine  White  amused  himself  with 
training  his  dogs  to  perform  various  feats  of  dexterity  and 
cunning,  the  Governor  and  Major  Atherton  regarded  in  si- 
lence the  varied  and  beautiful  scenery,  which  was  stretched 
around  them. 

'  I  love  to  rest  on  this  spot,'  said  the  Governor,  at  length, 
1  nor  can  I  look  round  upon  this  goodly  prospect,  without 
emotions  of  gratitude  to  Him,  who  has  so  wonderfully  pros- 
pered the  work  of  our  hands,  who  "  remembered  us  in  our 
low  estate,"  "  brought  us  out  of  our  afflictions,"  and,  in  the 
latter  end,  has  "  blessed  us  in  our  basket,  and  in  our  store."  ' 

'  I  regard,  with  surprise,'  replied  Atherton,  'the  astonish- 
ing success  of  your  exertions  ;  how  dreary  must  this  place 
have  been  when  you  first  arrived  here !  '  . 

'  Nor  is  it  possible,  now,  to  form  an  idea  of  it,'  returned  the 
Governor.  '  Expecting  to  reach  a  fruitful  and  temperate  cli- 
mate, we  found  ourselves  treacherously  cast  on  an  icy  and 
barren  coast,  obliged  to  struggle  with  disease  and  famine  ; 
while  those,  whom  we  most  loved,  were  perishing  miserably 
before  our  eyes,  through  excess  of  hardship  and  fatigue. 
Some  were  at  times  well  nigh  discouraged  ;  but  the  Lord 
gave  us  "strength,  according  to  our  day,"  and  when  our 
"  staff  of  bread  !"  failed,  the  earth  yielded  us  ground  nuts,  and 
we  eat  of  "  the  abundance  of  the  seas,  and  of  the  treasures 
hid  in  the  sand."  ' 

1  How,'  asked  Atherton,  '  did  you  escape  destruction  from 
the  savages,  who  so  greatly  exceeded  you  in  numbers,  and 
always  viewed  you  with  dislike.' 

'  They  seemed  filled  with  dread  of  us,  feeble  as  we  then 


44  PEEP  AT   THE    PILGRIMS. 

were,'  said  Mr.  Winslow  ;  '  we  seldom  saw  them,  except  in 
small  numbers,  as  we  sailed  along  the  coast,  and  they  always 
fled  at  the  report  of  our  fire-arms.  We  were  informed  by  a 
friendly  Indian,  who  came  to  us,  in  the  spring,  that  four  years 
previous  to  that  time,  a  dreadful  sickness  had  almost  depop- 
ulated this  part  of  the  country  ;  and  we  could  not  but  regard 
it  as  a  signal  interposition  of  Providence,  which  had  thus 
"  cast  out  the  heathen  "  before  us,  to  make  way  for  a  people, 
who  would  spread  the  true  religion  throughout  the  land.  Had 
they  fallen  upon  us,  when  we  were  sick  and  defenceless  we 
could  have  opposed  but  little  resistance  to  their  savage  fero- 
city.' 

« I  understand,'  said  Atherton,  '  that  many  of  their  tribes 
now  maintain  a  friendly  intercourse  with  you.' 

'  They  do  so  ;  and,  particularly,  the  powerful  Sachem  Mas- 
sasoit,  and  his  subjects,  who  inhabit  the  northern  shore  of  the 
Narraganset  Bay,  about  forty  miles  distant  from  us.  A  few 
months  after  our  arrival,  the  Sachem  sent  us  a  present  of  furs, 
with  a  message  announcing  his  intention  of  visiiing  us  ;  and, 
shortly  after,  he  appeared  on  tbis  very  hill,  with  a  train  of 
sixty  attendants,  all  decorated  with  the  skins  of  wild  beasts, 
and  frightfully  disfigured  by  paint.  The  chief  signified  his 
pleasure,  that  one  of  us  should  come  to  him,  and  being  re- 
quested by  the  Governor,  I  went  alone,  and  carrying  a  pre- 
sent;  though,  I  assure  you,  Major  Atherton,  I  could  hardly 
approach  such  wild  looking  beings  without  trembling.  I  re- 
mained with  them,  as  an  hostage,  while  Massasoit,  with  twen- 
ty of  his  men,  unarmed,  descended  to  the  brook  yonder,  where 
they  were  received  by  Captain  Standish,  and  six  of  our  peo- 
ple, who  conducted  the  Indians  to  a  house.  They  were  seat-' 
ed  on  cushions,  placed  on  the  floor,  and  feasted,  after  the 
English  fashion.  Governor  Carver  presently  entered,  follow- 
ed by  a  few  musketeers,  with  a  drum  and  trumpet,  which 


PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  45 

caused  them  great  astonishment  and  delight.  We  then  en- 
tered into  a  treaty  of  peace  and  friendship  with  them,  which 
has  ever  since  been  faithfully  preserved,  on  both  sides.' 

'  How  could  you  understand  their  barbarous  dialect;'  en- 
quired Atherton  ;  '  or  did  you  converse  only  by  signs  ?  ' 

*  We  found  an  interpreter,'  said  Mr.  Winslow,  '  in  an  In- 
dian sagamore,  who  early  adventured  amongst  us,  and  had 
learned  something  of  our  language,  from  the  English  traders 
and  fishermen,  who  used  to  frequent  the  coast.  There  was 
also  another  savage,  called  Squanto,  who  attached  himself  to 
us,  and,  on  many  occasions,  did  us  good  service,  though  he 
eventually  proved  treacherous.  Several  years  before,  he,  with 
twenty  others,  were  decoyed  on  board  a  vessel,  by  one  mas- 
ter Hunt,  (who  came  hither,  under  pretence  of  trading  with 
the  natives,)  and  carried  to  Malaga,  where  they  were  sold  for 
slaves.  Squanto  was  afterwards  sent  to  England,  and  is  the 
only  one  who  has  ever  returned  here.  This  perfidious  act  of 
our  countryman,  justly  incensed  the  savages  against  all  white 
people,  and  it  is  not  strange,  that  they  should  wish  to  exclude 
such  dangerous  neighbors.  But  I  must  leave  you,  Major 
Atherton  :  we  lead  a  pastoral  life,  here,  you  see,  and  the  la- 
bor of  our  fields,  and  welfare  of  our  flocks  must  be  attended 
to.' 

'  I  am  glad  my  father  has  done  his  speech,'  exclaimed  Per- 
egrine White,  springing  from  the  ground,  the  moment  he 
had  left  them.  '  But  who  comes  here  ?  Hobamock,  as  I  live, 
with  Alexander  and  the  mastiffs.' 

And,  in  truth,  the  Indian,  who  had  heard  their  arrange- 
ments on  the  preceding  evening,  and  loved  every  wild  adven- 
ture, now  came  running  swiftly  towards  them,  followed  by 
Alexander  Standish,  who  was  tugging  up  the  hill,  almost  out 
of  breath  ;  and  pettishly  accusing  his  more  nimble  footed  com- 
panion for  leaving  him  in  the  rear. 


46  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

1  Why  wont  you  stop  for  me,  Hobamock  ?  I  can't  keep  up 
with  you,'  they  could  hear  him  say. 

•  Your  legs  be  younger  than  mine,  and  I  do  carry  your 
gun,'  returned  the  Indian,  who  was,  in  fact,  loaded  with  two 
pieces. 

'  And  what  have  you  come  here  for,  Hobamock  ?  '  asked 
Peregrine,  as  soon  as  he  was  within  hearing. 

'  I  come  for  shoot  you,  master  Peregrine.' 

'  Shoot  me,  you  copper-colored  rascal,  do  you  mean  so  ? ' 

'  Shoot  for  you  the  birds,  master  Peregrine,  I  mean,  and 
then  make  a  fire  for  eat  them,  in  the  woods.' 

'Oh,  you  come  to  eat,  did  you  ?  well,  let's  on  then.  But 
stop,  what  ails  you,  Alexander  ? ' 

'  Nothing ; '  said  the  boy,  and  snatching  his  fowling  piece 
from  the  hand  of  Hobamock,  he  followed  them  a  few  moments 
in  silence.  But  his  cheerfulness  soon  returned;  for  he  was 
naturally  gay  and  good-tempered,  though  rather  self-willed, 
which  might  be  attributed  to  the  want  of  early  discipline,  hav- 
ing lost  his  mother  in  infancy,  and  his  father's  public  duties 
calling  him  frequently  from  home,  had  left  him  much  at  his 
own  disposal. 

The  little  party  proceeded  gaily  on  their  way,  and  soon 
struck  into  the  mazes  of  a  deep  forest,  where  Peregrine  White 
augured  they  should  find  plenty  of  game.  They  followed  a 
winding  path  along  the  margin  of  a  clear  stream,  that  floated 
on  its  billows  the  red  and  decaying  leaves  of  autumn  ;  and 
after  struggling  on  its  course,  and  frequently  forcing  a  pas- 
sage over  fragments  of  rocks  and  trunks  of  fallen  trees,  from 
which  they  dashed  in  broken  and  foaming  sheets,  producing 
miniature  water-falls  of  exquisite  beauty,  at  length  terminated 
in  a  small  lake,  fringed  with  the  quivering  birch  and  drooping 
willow,  which  dipped  their  flexile  branches  in  the  waves,  al- 
ready strewed  with  their  transient  foliage. 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  47 

Major  Atherton,  charmed  with  the  romantic  beauty  of  the 
spot,  lingered  far  behind  his  companions ;  and,  busied  with 
his  own  thoughts,  heeded  not  their  merry  voices  and  loud 
peals  of  laughter,  which  grew  fainter  and  fainter,  till  they 
were  no  longer  distinguished  from  the  whistling  of  the  breeze, 
and  the  monotonous  rippling  of  the  waters.  The  report  of  a 
gun  at  length  roused  him  to  a  consciousness  of  his  lonely  sit- 
uation ;  and,  hastening  to  the  place  from  whence  the  sound 
proceeded,  he  found  Peregrine  White  reloading  his  piece, 
with  an  air  of  extreme  vexation. 

'  I  thought  we  had  lost  you,  Major  Atherton,'  he  said;  'I 
wish  you  had  been  here,  just  to  have  seen  the  fine  covey  of 
partridges  that  I  started  ;  but  the  foolish  birds  chose  to  make 
the  best  of  their  way  off,  as  soon  as  the  shot  began  to  fly.' 

'  Foolish,  indeed  ! '  replied  Atherton,  '  to  make  use  of  their 
wings,  when  such  an  honor  awaited  them ;  but  I  fear  we 
shall  not  find  much  sport  here  ;  there  seems  little  but  dried 
leaves  stirring  to-day  ! ' 

'  Not  much  else,  in  the  bottom  of  that  muddy  pool  where 
you  have  been  looking  this  half  hour,'  said  Peregrine  ;  '  but 
see  there  !  '  and  he  aimed  steadily  at  a  bird  which  was  perch- 
ed at  some  distance.  But  the  keen  eye  of  Hobamock  had  al- 
ready marked  it,  and  his  unerring  aim  brought  it  in  an  instant 
fluttering  to  the  ground.  Peregrine  White's  third  attempt, 
however,  proved  more  fortunate,  and  abundantly  recom- 
pensed him  for  his  past  mortification  ;  and  each  having  been 
more  or  less  successful,  they  began  to  feel  strong  appetites 
produced  by  their  exercise,  and  commissioned  Hobamock  to 
kindle  a  fire  under  the  trees,  and  cook  their  game.  The  In- 
dian obeyed  with  alacrity  ;  and  stripping  the  birds  of  the  beau- 
tiful plumage,  which  they  had  lately  sported  with  such  inno- 
cent joy  in  their  native  bowers,  he  was  preparing  to  lay  them 


48  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

on  the  coals,  when  the  distant  echo  of  fire-arms  announced 
that  other  sportsmen  were  amusing  themselves  in  the  forest. 

1  We  will  see  who  is  here,'  said  Peregrine,  springing  for- 
ward, and  crushing  the  brushwood  under  his  feet ;  '  and  do 
you  run  on,  Hobamock  ;  and  if  it  is  any  of  your  sooty  breth- 
ren, warn  them  to  be  civil  to  us.' 

'  I  will  stay  and  take  care  of  the  dinner,'  said  Alexander, 
'  only  don't  be  gone  long  if  you  want  me  to  save  any  for 
you.' 

'  You  must  have  a  lion's  appetite  to  eat  all  those  birds,'  said 
Peregrine,  laughing  ;  '  but  mind  and  keep  a  good  bunch  to 
carry  home  and  show.' 

Again  he  bounded  onward,  and  Atherton,  with  equal  agili- 
ty, followed  through  the  various  intricate  windings,  where 
the  bending  saplings  marked  the  footsteps  of  Hobamock,  who 
had  left  the  beaten  track,  and  trusted  to  the  guidance  of  his 
ear  for  a  nearer  course  to  the  place  from  whence  the  sound 
had  proceeded. 

They  at  length  overtook  him,  just  on  the  verge  of  a  sunny 
slope,  which  for  a  considerable  space  had  been  cleared  of 
trees ;  while  the  ruins  of  a  wigwam  and  some  vestiges  of  a 
cornfield  shewed  that  it  had  once  been  the  abode  of  Indians. 
Three  savage  warriors,  in  the  prime  of  manhood,  were  care- 
lessly reclined\)n  the  ground,  and,  as  usual  when  weary  or 
idle,  regaling  themselves  with  smoking  tobacco  ;  while,  at  a 
little  distance,  a  female  was  busied  over  a  large  fire,  appa- 
rently in  some  culinary  preparation.  She  occasionally  stoop- 
ed and  sung,  in  a  low  sweet  tone,  to  an  infant  child  that  lay 
on  the  ground  beside  her;  and  which,  according  to  their  cus- 
tom, was  stretched  on  a  board,  and  its  little  limbs  confined 
with  cords ;  a  custom  which  kept  it  secure  when  traveling,  on 
the  back  of  its  mother,  and,  doubtless,  contributed  to  form  that 
straightness  of  limb  for  which  the  race  are  so  remarkable. 


PIEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  49 

The  men  were  partially  covered  with  deer  skins,  extend- 
ing, like  trovvsers,  to  their  feet,  which  were  guarded  by  moc- 
casons  of  the  same  material.  From  their  shoulders  depend- 
ed a  sort  of  cloak,  composed  of  a  beautiful  variety  of  furs ; 
their  heads  were  decked  with  feathers,  and  their  faces  paint- 
ed with  divers  colors,  extracted  from  the  juice  of  certain 
plants,  and  representing  the  most  hideous  figures.  The  eld- 
est, and  apparently  a  chief,  was  distinguished  by  a  plume  of 
eagle's  feathers,  and  a  necklace  of  carved  bone  hanging  down 
to  his  waist,  which  was  encircled  by  a  belt  of  wampum. 

The  dress  of  the  Squaw  differed  little  from  the  others,  ex- 
cept that  with  the  usual  predilection  of  her  sex  for  ornament, 
she  had  profusely,  and  with  some  taste,  mingled  the  most 
gaudy  colors  with  her  straight  arid  glossy  hair,  and  adorned 
her  neck,  arms,  and  ancles,  with  bracelets  of  glass  beads. 

As  soon  as  the  keen-eyed  Indians  observed  the  approach- 
ing figures  of  Major  Atherton  and  Peregrine,  they  started  on 
their  feet,  with  extreme  quickness;  and  the  chief,  advancing 
forward  a  few  paces,  waited  to  receive  them,  leaning  on  his 
fowling  piece,  his  companions  standing  on  either  side  of  him, 
with  their  bows  bent,  prepared  to  take  deadly  aim,  if  any  vio- 
lence were  offered  them.  Nothing  could  exceed  the  dignity 
ami  grace  of  their  attitudes,  the  vigor  and  symmetry  of  their 
forms,  or  the  noble,  though  fierce  expression  of  their  coun- 
tenances. Hobamock  hastened  to  meet  them  with  words  of 
peace  ;  and,  after  listening  to  him  with  profound  attention, 
they  threw  aside  their  weapons,  and  reseating  themselves  on 
the  ground,  by  expressive  gestures,  invited  the  young  men  to 
join  their  circle.  They  accordingly  seated  themselves,  and 
through  the  interpretation  of  Hobamock,  entered  into  conver- 
sation with  the  Indians,  which  was  particularly  interesting  to 
Atherton,  who  had  much  curiosity  to  learn  something  of  that 


50  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGKIMS. 

singular  race  of  people,  and  to  see  them  in  their  native  wild- 
ness. 

These  warriors  were  of  the  Wamponeag  tribe,  subjects  of 
the  sachem  Massasoit,  and  on  their  way  to  Plymouth,  to  trade 
with  the  people  in  furs.  They  were  very  courteous  in  their 
manners  ;  and,  as  a  mark  of  peculiar  kindness,  offered  each 
of  their  transient  guests  a  share  of  their  lighted  tobacco,  and 
seemed  much  suprised  that  Atherton  declined  so  great  a  lux- 
ury, which  was  however  accepted  with  becoming  gravity  by 
Peregrine,  though  the  use  of  it  excited  many  wry  faces.  The 
squaw  was  then  ordered  to  fetch  an  earthen  vessel  of  strong 
water  ;  for  so  they  called  the  ardent  spirits  which  were  given 
them  by  the  Europeans,  and  which  was  even  then  a  fruitful 
source  of  traffic  and  of  cheating  ;  for  they  would  barter  the 
most  valuable  articles  to  satisfy  their  thirst  for  what  has 
proved  the  instrument  of  their  destruction. 

Atherton  felt  obliged  to  put  the  draught  to  his  lips,  though 
he  thought  it  scarcely  more  palatable  than  the  pungent  weed 
he  had  just  refused;  and  in  returning  the  remainder  to  the 
young  female  who  stood  waiting  to  receive  it,  he  could  not 
but  remark  with  admiration  the  timid  gentleness  of  her  man- 
ner which  gave  a  charm  to  the  delicacy  of  her  features,  and 
the  softness  of  her  olive  complexion.  She  seemed  to  regajd 
with  great  tenderness  the  little  papoose,  who  awoke  and  be- 
gan to  cry ;  but  the  moment  she  attempted  to  soothe  him,  she 
was  sternly  ordered  back  by  her  savage  lord,  whose  com- 
mands were  implicitly  obeyed  ;  for  the  females  of  those  tribes 
are  accustomed  to  endure  the  caprice  of  their  indolent  tyrants, 
and  to  perform  the  most  servile  and  fatiguing  labor  with  un- 
repining  meekness. 

Peregrine  White  at  length  reminded  Atherton,  that  their 
dinner  would  be  spoiled  by  waiting,  or  eaten  up  by  Alexander 
and  his  dogs ;  and  having  no  inclination  to  lose  their  feast, 


PEEP     AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  51 

after  so  long  an  abstinence,  they  parted  from  their  friendly 
entertainers,  leaving  with  them  a  small  present,  which  was 
always  expected  by  an  Indian  from  a  white  person  with 
whom  he  had  any  intercourse. 

On  returning  to  the  spot  where  they  had  left  their  game 
under  the  care  of  Alexander,  Peregrine  White  who  preceded 
his  companions,  startled  them  with  exclaiming, 

'  What  is  here  ?  the  boy  has  served  us  a  pretty  trick  in 
good  truth ;  Alexander  !  Alexander  ! ' 

But  no  voice  replied  to  him,  and  Atherton  hastening  to  the 
place,  perceived  with  surprise  the  fire  which  they  had  kin- 
dled, almost  extinct,  and  their  birds  lying  blackened  to  a  coal 
on  the  mouldering  embers.  Those  which  they  had  reserved 
as  trophies  of  their  success,  had  all  disappeared  with  the 
faithless  guard  who  was  entrusted  with  the  care  of  them. 
Peregrine  White  gave  vent  to  his  indignation  by  a  blow 
aimed  with  his  foot,  and  with  a  force  that  threw  the  half  con- 
sumed brands  in  various  directions,  arid  ejected  a  fragment 
into  the  face  of  Hobamock,  leaving  a  dark  stain  upon  his 
swarthy  skin,  though  his  countenance  preserved  its  usual 
gravity,  mingled  with  an  expression  of  astonishment,  as  he 
regarded  the  impotent  wrath  of  the  youth  whose  anger  proved 
as  transient  as  it  had  been  ungovernable ;  and  yielded  to  a 
burst  of  mirth  on  beholding  the  blackened  visage  of  the  In- 
dian, who  began  leisurely  to  wipe  it  off  with  a  bundle  of  dried 
leaves. 

'  Let  it  be,  Hobamock,'  said  Peregrine,  '  it  will  serve  you 
for  paint  as  well  as  any  other  daubing.' 

'  I  use  no  paint,  Master  Peregrine,  now  that  I  live  with 
white  people.' 

4  Well,  I  wish  it  had  been  Alexander  instead  of  you ;  but 
he  shall  pay  dearly  for  his  roguery  yet.  And  now  what  can 
we  find  to  eat  ? ' 


52  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Hobamock  had  brought  a  few  Indian  cakes  to  relish  their 
expected  repast,  which,  for  the  want  of  better  fare,  they  con- 
sumed with  sportsmen's  appetites ;  and  with  this  meagre  re- 
freshment, and  a  draught  from  a  pure  stream,  to  the  fountain 
head  of  which  Hobamock  led  them,  (for  an  Indian  will  long 
endure  thirst  rather  than  drink  but  at  the  source  of  even  the 
clearest  water,)  they  returned  somewhat  crest-fallen  to  the 
village. 

Peregrine  White  in  particular,  who  boasted  much  of  his 
dexterity  in  shooting,  and  had  promised  in  the  morning  to  re- 
turn well  laden  with  game,  felt  no  little  mortification ;  and 
expecting  the  raillery  of  his  family,  proposed  to  Atherton  as 
they  passed  the  beach,  to  try  their  luck  in  fishing,  that  they 
might  have  something  to  carry  home  with  them.  Atherton 
readily  consented  ;  and  hailing  a  boat  which  was  just  push- 
ing from  the  shore,  they  were  cheerfully  admitted  by  the  man 
who  occupied  it,  leaving  Hobamock,  at  his  own  desire,  to  re- 
turn to  his  family. 

The  little  bark  skipped  lightly  over  the  waves,  and  was 
soon  without  the  harbor,  where  they  anchored  and  prepared 
their  baits,  assured  by  the  experienced  fisherman  who  guided 
them,  that  there  would  be  no  lack  of  nibbling.  His  prog- 
nostic proved  correct,  and  the  place  yielded  such  an  abun- 
dance of  its  finny  treasure,  that  in  a  short  time  they  procured 
sufficient  to  make  amends  for  the  disasters  of  the  morning; — 
about  sunset  they  steered  towards  the  shore.  Several  boats 
which  had  been  fishing  in  the  bay,  also  tacked  about  and  bore 
homeward  ;  and  in  one  of  them  Peregrine  White  perceived 
Mr.  Grey  and  Benjamin  Ashly ;  but  they  were  far  behind, 
and  in  a  larger  vessel  which  struggled  hard  against  the  wind. 

On  approaching  the  shore,  they  observed  two  females 
walking  the  beach,  and  occasionally  stopping  to  regard  them 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  53 

with  attention.  As  they  came  near  enough  to  distinguish 
objects  with  certainty,  Peregrine  White  exclaimed, 

'  That  is  Miriam  Grey  arid  her  cousin  Lois,  as  I  am  alive ; 
shall  we  go  and  speak  with  them,  Major  Atherton  ?  ' 

'  As  you  please  ;  I  have  no  objection.' 

'  So  I  thought,'  said  Peregrine,  significantly.  '  Tug  hard 
at  your  oars,  John,  or  they  will  be  off.' 

The  boatman  applied  all  his  strength,  but  Atherton  thought 
the  bark  moved  slower  then  ever,  perticularly  when  the  fe- 
males approached  near  the  water's  edge,  and  apparently  as- 
certaining their  persons,  turned  carelessly  away,  and  re- 
treated behind  a  cliff  that  entirely  concealed  them. 

'I  will  find  them  yet,'  said  Peregrine  White,  leaping  on  the 
strand,  which  they  at  that  moment  gained;  'follow  me,  and 
be  still.' 

He  sprang  quickly  forward,  in  a  direction  opposite  to  that 
chosen  by  the  persons  he  was  seeking,  and,  throwing  down 
his  scaly  burden,  began  to  ascend  a  craggy  rock,  which  pro- 
jected one  side  into  the  sea,  and  was  rendered  extremely  slip- 
pery by  the  adhesion  of  sea-weeds  left  by  the  receding  tide, 
and  the  spray  which  continually  dashed  over  it.  Atherton 
followed  him  in  silence  to  the  summit,  remaining  a  few  paces 
behind,  till  he  distinctly  heard  the  sound  of  voices,  rising  from 
beneath  the  cliff. 

Peregrine  White  stooped,  and  looking  down,  saw,  as  he 
expected,  Miriam  Grey  and  her  cousin  below,  talking  to- 
gether, and  quite  unconscious  that  any  one  was  observing 
them.  He  silently  dropped  a  small  pebble  on  the  head  of 
Miriam,  who,  supposing  it  accidental,  continued  conversing, 
without  regarding  it ;  but  another,  and  another  fell  on  her 
neck  and  shoulders ;  and  before  she  had  time  to  look  around, 
a  large  handful  rattled  down  the  crag  and  lay  scattered  at  her 
feet.  She  uttered  an  exclamation  of  surprise,  which  brought 


54  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

Atherton  to  the  verge  of  the  precipice,  though  he  remained 
screened  from  observation  by  a  fragment  of  the  rock,  from 
whence  he  watched  with  interest  the  light  figure  of  Miriam 
Grey.  She  stood  in  an  attitude  which  expressed  an  intention 
of  flight,  with  one  foot  extended,  as  in  the  act  of  bounding 
forward,  yet  still  lingering  on  the  spot,  and  casting  an  eager 
glance  around,  to  ascertain  the  cause  of  her  alarm.  She  had 
pushed  back  the  hood  that  shaded  her  countenance,  which 
was  flushed  with  surprise  ;  though  the  first  impulse  of  wo- 
manish fear  had  given  place  to  an  expression  of  spirit  and 
resolution.  On  looking  up  and  perceiving  Peregrine  White, 
she  assumed  an  air  of  displeasure,  which,  however,  seemed 
unusual  to  her,  and  her  features  soon  resumed  their  wonted 
sweetness  and  vivacity,  and  her  deep  blue  eyes  an  archness 
peculiarly  their  own. 

Lois  Grey,  a  demure  and  comely  damsel  of  twenty-eight, 
first  broke  the  silence. 

'  Your  time  is  well  employed,  I  think,  Master  Peregrine, 
in  showering  down  stones  upon  us.' 

'  Not  upon  you,  Lois,  they  did  not  touch  so  much  as  the 
hem  of  your  garments.  I  only  gathered  a  few  small  stones, 
like  David  of  old,  from  the  great  brook  yonder,  to  frighten 
Miriam,  and  revenge  myself  on  her  for  running  away  when 
she  saw  me  coming  to  her.' 

'  I  run  away  from  you  ! '  said  Miriam,  'I  only  saw  you 
sailing  on  the  water,  and  how  could  I  know  you  were  coming 
to  me  ? ' 

'Ah,  you  knew  well  enough,'  said  Peregrine ;  'but  it  is 
not  the  first  time  that  you  have  served  me  so.'  « 

'  And  it  is  not  the  first  time,'  said  Miriam,  pointing,  with  a 
smile,  to  the  pebble  stones,  '  that  I  have  had  good  reason  for 
avoiding  you.  But  I  came  hither  to  meet  my  father;  did 
you  see  his  boat  coming  in  ? ' 


PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  55 

'  Yes,  and  Benjamin  Ashly  was  with  him ;  but  I  suppose 
you  know  that  already.' 

« Indeed  I  did  not,'  said  Miriam  eagerly,  and  slightly  color- 
ing. 

'  Well,  I  tell  you  he  is,'  returned  Peregrine ;  '  and  they 
have  this  moment  touched  the  strand ;  there  goes  the  honest 
deacon,  that  is  to  be,  with  a  heavy  load  of  fish  on  his  back;  1 
would  you  were  up  here  to  look  at  him,  Miriam.' 

'  I  have  not  the  least  curiosity  on  the  subject,  and  am  quite 
satisfied  with  my  lowly  station,' replied  the  damsel;  'but  I 
must  be  gone;  good-bye  to  you,  Peregrine.' 

'  Stop  a  moment,'  cried  Peregrine,  '  here  is  somebody  who 
wants  to  see  you.' 

Before  Atherton  was  aware  of  his' design,  the  youth  pulled 
him  suddenly  by  his  arm  from  behind  the  rock,  in  view  of 
Miriam  Grey,  who  had  instinctively  stopped,  and  now  stood 
abashed  before  him. 

Atherton,  though  provoked  at  the  awkwardness  of  his  sit- 
uation, retained  his  self-possession  ;  and  on  the  whole,  ac- 
quitted himself  better  than  could  have  been  expected,  con- 
sidering the  uneasiness  of  his  position  on  the  summit  of  a 
dizzy  crag.  Miriam  Grey  silently  courtesied  to  his  salute ; 
but  a  smile  played  on  her  lips  as  she  glanced  at  him  through 
her  long  eye-lashes,  and  beheld  him  hovering  in  the  air 
above  her ;  then  taking  the  arm  of  Lois,  they  walked  quietly 
away,  leaving  Atherton  to  deprecate  the  mischievous  spirit  of 
Peregrine,  which  had  led  him  into  so  ridiculous  an  adventure. 

'Now  wasn't  that  well  done  ! '  exclaimed  Peregrine  White 
in  an  exulting  tone,  and  striking  the  shoulder  of  Atherton 
with  a  force  which  at  once  started  him  from  his  musing  pos- 
ture. '  I  tell  you,  Major  Atherton,  there's  not  a  man  in  Ply- 
mouth could  have  contrived  a  neater  way  of  giving  you  a 


56 

peep  at  a  pretty  girl ;  you  ought  to  thank  me  on  bended 
knees.' 

'  Thank  you  ! '  returned  Atherton  drily,  '  for  making  me 
look  like  a  fool :  what  could  she  think  to  see  me  perched, 
like  a  sea-gull,  on  this  vexatious  rock.' 

'  She  ! '  returned  Peregrine,  with  a  provoking  laugh  ;  '  so 
you  saw  but  one,  did  you  ?  and  now  I  think  me  of  it,  that 
must  have  been  Lois;  this  confounded  crag  was  between  you 
and  Miriam ;  but  I  will  call  her  again,  since  I  know  you  are 
longing  to  look  at  her.' 

'  Stay,'  said  Atherton  quickly  ;  '  indeed,  I  saw  them  both  ; 
so  have  done  with  this  folly,  I  entreat  you.' 

But  Peregrine  had  already  mounted  the  highest  pinnacle  of 
the  rock,  and,  in  spite  of  his  remonstrance,  called  aloud  to 
Miriam,  who,  though  now  far  from  them,  turned  to  look  back, 
as  his  clear  and  sonorous  voice,  rising  above  the  dashing  of 
the  waves,  repeated  her  name. 

Peregrine  White  tore  a  branch  from  a  dwarf  cedar  which 
grew  in  a  fissure  of  the  rock,  and  waved  it  on  high  with  a 
motion  expressive  of  his  wish  for  her  return  ;  but  she  shook 
her  head,  and  was  again  turning  away,  when  he  pointed  sig- 
nificantly towards  the  sea  shore. 

Miriam  looked  in  that  direction,  and  saw  Benjamin  Ashly 
advancing  from  it  alone,  and  at  a  pace  unusually  brisk  for 
him  ;  and  probably  construing  his  speed  into  a  design  to  over- 
take her,  she  darted  from  the  highway,  and  was  instantly 
buried  from  sight  in  a  thick  copse  of  evergreens.  Her  cousin 
followed  more  leisurely,  and  Mr.  Ashly,  after  lingering  a 
moment,  and,  regarding  the  spot  from  whence  she  disappeared 
with  a  visage  evidently  lengthened,  drew  the  fish  over  his 
shoulder  with  a  doubtful  jerk,  and  quietly  retreated  into  an- 
other path. 

'  Excellently  well  done,  my  pretty  Miriam,'  said  Peregrine, 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  57 

laughing ;  '  I  declare  there  is  not  another  such  witch  in  the 
country,  Major  Atherton.' 

'  She  seems  to  have  bewitched  you,'  replied  Atherton ;  '  I 
hope  you  do  not  intend  to  enter  into  competition  with  worthy 
Mr.  Ashly.' 

'  Not  at  all,'  returned  Peregrine,  carelessly  ;  '  but  Miriam 
and  I  have  frolicked  together  ever  since  we  were  born ;  and 
I  do  love  to  see  her  torment  that  whining  fool,  who  thinks 
every  one,  save  himself  and  a  godly  few,  are  in  the  broad 
road  to  destruction.  But  the  tide  is  coming  in  fast,  so  we  had 
better  get  down,  or  we  may  be  left  standing  here,  like  flag- 
staffs,  till  to-morrow  morning.' 

'And  our  fish  may  swim  off  in  the  mean  time,  and  leave 
us  fasting  again,'  said  Atherton ;  '  we  left  them  at  the  foot  of 
the  rock.' 

'  Here  they  are,  safe  ! '  returned  Peregrine,  sliding  rapidly 
down  the  precipice  ;  'a  pretty  joke  on  us  it  would  have  been, 
if  they  had  vanished  like  the  partridges.  And  now  you  will 
go  home  with  me,  Major  Atherton,  and  help  eat  some  of 
them.' 

'  You  know  I  promised  Captain  Standish  to  return  to  his 
house  to-night.' 

'It  is  full  eight  miles  there,  and  I  can  never  walk  it  in  my 
present  weak  state  ; — to  speak  the  truth,  these  fasting  days 
don't  suit  my  stomach  at  all.  There  is  no  living  without 
eating,  Major  Atherton  ;  and  it  was  a  provident  thought  in 
good  Master  Calvin  to  get  released  from  a  monkish  church, 
that  kept  one  starving  more  than  half  one's  life.' 

'  I  shall  be  very  glad  of  a  good  supper  for  my  part,'  said 
Atherton  ;  '  and  I  wish  we  had  shot  across  the  bay  to  the 
Captain's,  when  we  were  on  the  water  just  now.' 

'  Never  mind,'  said  Peregrine  ;  '  if  you  will  go  home  with 
me  first,  I  will  walk  back  with  you ;  I  want  to  pay  off  my 


58  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

debt  to  the  little  rascal  who  ran  away  with  the  birds,  and  the 
moon  will  be  up  in  season  to  light  me  home.' 

Major  Atherton  consented  to  the  arrangement;  and  during 
the  remainder  of  the  way  to  the  Governor's,  Peregrine  White 
was  in  vain  exercising  his  wits  to  invent  some  plausible  ex- 
cuse for  the  morning  disasters ;  but  his  mind  was  still  unsat- 
isfied, when  he  opened  the  door,  and  entered  a  passage  lead- 
ing to  the  sitting  room,  which  at  that  hour  was  entirely  in 
darkness. 

'  Is  that  you,  brother  Peregrine  ? '  said  a  little  damsel,  who 
was  groping  her  way  through  the  place. 

Peregrine  drew  the  cold  slimy  tails  of  the  fish  across  her 
neck,  in  mysterious  silence,  and  in  an  instant  the  cries  of  the 
frightened  child  brought  all  the  family  to  her  assistance. 

'I  should  have  known  it  was  you,  my  son,'  said  Mrs. 
Winslow,  drawing  the  little  girl  to  her  arms  ;  '  you  are  apt 
to  announce  yourself  in  this  noisy  manner.' 

'  Me,  mother !  I  was  as  dumb  as  the  fish  that  Susy  ran 
against,  like  a  silly  thing.  But  here  is  Major  Atherton,  half 
starved,  as  well  as  myself,  and  I  am  glad  to  see  you  have  not 
done  supper  yet.' 

'Major  Atherton  is  truly  welcome,'  said  Mrs.  Winslow, 
leading  the  way  back  to  the  room  ;  '  our  repast  has  but  just 
commenced,  and  you  bring  us  a  liberal  supply,  and,  I  sup- 
pose, excellent  appetites,  after  your  day's  amusement.' 

'  That  we  do,'  returned  Peregrine ;  «  for,  I  assure  you,  we 
have  not  been  overburthened  with  food  to-day.' 

'  But  where  are  your  birds  ?  '  inquired  the  Governor  ;  '  I 
saw  you  enter  the  woods  this  morning,  and  have  waited  im- 
patiently for  the  game  you  promised  us  in  such  abundance.' 

'  And  here  is  a  bunch  of  as  fine  fresh  fish  as  ever  smoked 
on  the  table  of  a  prince,'  said  Peregrine.  '  It  was  so  fair  a 
day,  and  the  water  looked  so  smooth  and  tempting,  we 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  59 

thought  best  to  alter  our  plans  ; — no  strange  thing,  in  this 
changeable  world.'  * 

'  We  are  never  surprised  to  find  you  wavering,'  observed 
Mrs.  Winslow;  '  but  I  hope  you  consulted  Major  Atherton's 
wishes,  as  well  as  your  own.' 

'Certainly,'  replied  Atherton,  'so  far  as  it  was  in  his 
power;  but  we  have  both  been  the  sport  of  an  adverse  destiny 
to-day.' 

This  answer  led  to  inquiries,  and  an  explanation  which  af- 
forded much  amusement ;  and  after  a  cheerful  and  hearty 
meal,  which  received  a  double  relish  from  their  long  absti- 
nence, Major  Atherton  and  Peregrine  White  commenced 
their  evening's  walk.  Pursuing  their  way  at  a  brisk  pace, 
in  spite  of  the  formidable  obstacles  which  they  encountered 
at  every  step  in  the  shape  of  log  bridges,  half  burnt  stumps, 
and  straggling  underwood,  they  at  length  approached  the 
house  of  Captain  Standish,  long  visible  from  the  bright  un- 
steady light  which  streamed  from  the  windows,  discovering 
the  comforts  within,  and  promising  rest  to  their  weary  feet. 
The  cheerful  voice  of  the  Captain  greeted  them  as  they 
entered. 

'  Ah  !  my  lads,  have  you  come  at  last  ?  I  waited  for  you 
till  Alexander  and  the  dogs  growled  for  hunger,  and  now  the 
beasts  have  just  swallowed  the  last  bone.' 

'  The  bones  of  my  partridges,  I  suppose,'  said  Peregrine. 
'Here  is  some  beer  to  refresh  you,'  continued  the  Captain, 
'  as  good  as  you  could  find  brewed  in  London  itself;  and  you 
shall  not  go  to  bed  without  eating,  after  a  day's  march  in  the 
wilderness.  It  will  be  lean  quarters  indeed,  if  our  larder 
cannot  furnish  something  for  you.' 

'  This  delicious  beverage  is  sufficient,'  said  Atherton,  as  he 
returned  the  foaming  tankard  ;  '  we  supped  at  the  Governor's, 
and  too  heartily  to  wish  for  any  thing  more  to-night.' 


60  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

4 1  need  not  ask  if  you  had  good  luck  in  the  woods  to-day, 
said  the  Captain.     '  Alexander  brought  home  a  load  of  birds 
that  I  should  not  be  ashamed  to  own  myself; — the  boy  knows 
how  to  take  a  good  aim  with  his  gun  better  than  most  lads  of 
his  age.' 

'  A  good  aim  with  his  heels  !  the  paltroon,  to  run  off  with 
what  don't  belong  to  him,'  cried  the  indignant  Peregrine. 

'  Not  belong  to  me  ! '  said  Alexander,  at  that  instant  thrust- 
ing his  head  into  the  door ;  4  didn't  I  leave  your  partridges 
broiling  on  the  coals,  and  bring  away  only  my  own  and 
Hobamock's  ? ' 

'Broiling? — burning,  you  mean,  you  mischievous  imp! 
what  did  you  leave  us  but  cinders  and  black  coals  ?  ' 

'  I  don't  know,'  returned  Alexander,  coolly ;  *  those  that  I 
eat  relished  very  well.' 

This  answer  irritated  Peregrine  beyond  all  bounds ;  and, 
springing  over  a  table  that  stood  between  them,  and  which  he 
overset,  extinguishing  the  candles  in  its  fall,  he  pursued  the 
flying  Alexander  from  the  room  and  house.  Captain  Stan- 
dish  stood  in  amazement,  and  almost  total  darkness,  till  Ath- 
erton  rekindled  the  lights  by  the  decaying  embers  which 
lingered  in  the  chimney  corner,  and  related  the  events  that 
had  given  rise  to  so  unexpected  a  scene.  The  Captain  who 
relished  such  jests  exceedingly,  had  scarcely  finished  laugh- 
ing, when  the  objects  of  his  mirth  returned  amicably  together, 
Peregrine  declaring  that  the  delinquent  had  sued  for  pardon, 
though  the  roguish  expression  of  Alexander's  countenance 
showed  any  thing  rather  than  repentance  for  his  offence. 

4  Have  a  care,  boys,  have  a  care,'  said  the  Captain,  shaking 
his  head  with  mock  gravity  ;  '  or  we  shall  have  fine  work 
with  your  fallings  out,  bye  and  bye.  The  next  thing,  I  sup- 
pose, we  shall  see  sword  and  dagger  flourishing  about  your 
heads,  and  you  know  the  end  of  that,  Master  Peregrine.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  61 

'  To  kill,  or  be  killed,  I  should  think  it  likely,'  said  Pere- 
grine. 

'  No,  no,  we  don't  suffer  things  to  proceed  to  such  extremi- 
ties, in  our  well-ordered  colony  ;  we  shall  cut  short  the  matter 
by  tying  your  head  and  feet  together,  and  putting  you  on 
short  commons  for  a  time.' 

'  A  summary  mode  of  justice,'  observed  Atherton,  and  a 
truly  novel  invention.' 

'  It  is  of  seventeen  years'  standing,  and  of  approved  effica- 
cy,' said  the  Captain.  '  You  must  know,  cousin  Atherton, 
some  of  our  company's  servants  began  to  be  unruly,  when 
they  first  came  to  this  new  land,  and  thought  themselves  be- 
yond reach'  of  the  laws  ;  so  two  of  them  quarreled,  and 
challenged  each  other  to  single  combat ;  they  were  both 
slightly  wounded,  but  we  saw  fit  to  make  an  example  of  them, 
that  our  peace  might  not  in  future  be  disturbed  by  the  foolish 
brawls  of  every  cowardly  knave.  We  ordered  them  to  be 
bent  up  like  bows,  their  neck  and  heels  strapped  together,  and 
so  to  lie  twenty-four  hours,  without  meat  or  drink ;  but  they 
made  humble  concessions,  and  promises  of  amendment,  and 
their  masters  interceded  so  earnestly  in  their  behalf,  that  they 
were  released,  and,  I  can  tell  you,  the  offence  has  never  been 
repeated  by  any  one.' 

'  It  was  certainly  a  very  suitable  punishment,'  returned 
Atherton,  '  considering  the  rank  of  the  offenders.' 

'  It  is  suitable  to  any  rank,'  said  the  Captain ;  '  our  laws, 
thank  Heaven,  are  impartial,  and  both  magistrates  and  people 
are  amenable  to  them ;  and,  happily,  our  code  does  not  admit 
the  barbarous  practice  of  cutting  one  another  to  pieces  in  cold 
blood.' 

'  It  is  seldom  done  in  cold  blood,  I  believe,'  said  Atherton, 
smiling;  'and,  in  a  country  like  this,  I  should  imagine  one 
6 


62  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

would  seldom  be  obliged  to  have  recourse  to  such  fatal  mea- 
sures to  wipe  away  an  offence.' 

'  Neither  in  this,  or  any  other  country,'  persisted  the  Cap- 
tain ;  '  I  am  a  military  man  as  well  as  yourself,  Major  Ath- 
erton,  and  no  one  can  say  I  ever  shrunk  from  the  fight  when 
God  and  my  king  called  me  to  arms ;  but  I  do  believe  no  man, 
who  is  not  led  away  by  the  suggestions  of  the  devil,  will  draw 
upon  himself  the  guilt  and  infamy  of  murdering  a  fellow  be- 
ing, or  shedding  his  own  blood,  in  a  contemptible  and  idle 
quarrel.' 

'  I  would  not  justify  the  practice,'  said  Atherton  ;  'I  most 
sincerely  regret  that  custom  has  so  long  sanctioned  it,  and 
that  so  many,  who  seemed  born  for  better  things,  are  unhap- 
pily sacrificed  to  the  laws  of  honor.' 

'  Honor !  '  repeated  the  Captain,  indignantly ;  'is  it  hon- 
orable to  despise  the  laws  of  God  ? — lo  tear  asunder  the  most 
sacred  ties  of  humanity  ?  Is  it  honorable  to  place  your  life 
at  the  hazard  of  a  scoundrel's  weapon,  or,  by  taking  his,  to 
set  upon  your  forehead  the  mark  of  Cain,  and  bear  forever  on 
your  conscience  the  stain  of  blood  ? ' 

'  I  acknowledge  the  justice  of  your  arguments,'  replied  Ath- 
ertoti  ;  '  but  there  are  few  men  who  can  bear  the  imputation 
of  cowardice,  or  who  have  independence  enough  to  set  at 
defiance  the  opinion  of  the  world,  or  to  endure  its  ridicule, 
even  when  conscious  that  their  conduct  is  upright.' 

'  And  who  is  the  bravest  man,'  asked  the  Captain,  '  he  who 
can  despise  the  opinion  of  the  world — when  that  world  is  en- 
listed on  the  side  of  vice  and  folly — and  firmly  obey  the  dic- 
tates of  his  duty  and  conscience,  or  he  who,  like  a  wavering 
paltroon,  yields  to  the  dread  of  ridicule,  and  quietly  submits 
to  be  led  by  the  very  fools  who  pity  and  condemn  him !  No, 
no,  Edward  Atherton,  that  man  must  be  at  his  wits'  ends, 
who  seeks  to  regain  a  character  in  the  world,  or  hopes  to  es- 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  63 

tablish  a  reputation  for  bravery,  by  such  cowardly  expe- 
dients.' 

'  You  have  reason  on  your  side  of  the  question,  Sir,'  re- 
plied Atherton  ;  '  and  I  hope  the  good  principles  of  this  new 
world  will  effectually  exclude  the  vicious  practices  of  the  old 
from  its  society.' 

1 1  well  know,'  returned  the  Captain,  'how  young  men,  and 
particularly  soldiers,  regard  these  things,  but  I  think  I  need 
not  fear  that  the  son  of  my  cousin  Eleanor  will  bring  a  re- 
proach upon  his  name.' 

'  Not,  at  least,  while  I  remain  with  you,'  said  Atherton, 
laughing.  '  I  have  too  much  regard  for  my  neck  and  heels, 
to  bring  them  into  jeopardy,  and  of  course  shall  take  care  not 
to  make  a  breach  upon  your  laws.' 


64  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER    VI. 

But  then  her  face, 

So  lovely,  yet  so  arch,  so  full  of  mirth — 
The  overflowings  of  an  innocent  heart. 


ROGERS. 


MAJOR  ATHERTON  embraced  the  earliest  opportunity,  which* 
the  unwearied  attentions  of  his  host  left  at  his  own  dispo- 
sal, to  visit  his  warm-hearted  friend,  Captain  Martin,  whose 
ship  was  still  at  anchor  in  the  Plymouth  hrabor.  Captain  Stan- 
dish  excused  himself  from  attending  him,  for  the  labors  of 
a  plentiful  harvest  required  his  attention.  During  a  period 
of  repose  from  military  duty  he  had  '  beat  his  sword  into  a 
ploughshare,'  and,  with  characteristic  activity  and  ardor,  en- 
gaged in  the  pursuits  of  agriculture. 

Atherton,  for  the  first  time  left  to  range  alone  through 
the  woods,  which  he  had  only  passed  in  the  obscurity  of 
evening,  was  continually  in  danger  of  leaving  the  beaten 
pathway,  in  many  places  nearly  filled  by  withered  leaves, 
for  the  diverging  tracks  which  led  in  various  directions 
into  the  depths  of  the  forest,  and  sometimes  terminated  in 
a  cleared  spot,  where  the  log  hut  of  the  settler,  or  the  blue 
smoke  curling  from  its  wooden  chimney,  broke  upon  the 
eye  of  the  solitary  pedestrian,  conveying  images  of  comfort 
and  repose,  and  softening  the  savage  wildness  of  the  scene. 

But  the  sagacity  of  his  dog,  who  gamboled  around  his  feet ; 
and  in  cases  of  difficulty,  was  sure  to  scent  out  the  right 
path ;  at  length  conducted  him  to  the  broader  highway,  which 
led  into  the  chief  settlement  of  Plymouth,  where  the  animal 
seemed  quite  at  home,  and  with  curled  tail  and  erect  ears, 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  65 

proceeded  at  a  very  grave  dog- trot,  on  his  accustomed  rout 
towards  the  house  of  Mr.  Winslow. 

'  This  way,  Rover,'  said  Major  Atherton,  turning  in  a  near- 
er direction  to  the  water's  edge ;  and  another  moment  brought 
him  to  the  well-remembered  residence  of  Miriam  Grey.  The 
house  certainly  did  not  display  any  architectural  elegance; 
but  Atherton  remarked  it  as  one  of  the  largest  and  best  in  the 
village.  A  peculiar  air  of  neatness  seemed  diffused  around 
it,  which  evinced  the  competence  and  good  management  of 
its  possessor.  It  stood  on  a  green  bank,  which,  sloping  to 
the  southern  sun,  still  preserved  a  fresh  and  cheerful  verdure, 
and  was  half  hid  by  a  venerable  oak,  that  embraced  it,  in  a 
shelter  of  its  wide-spreading  branches.  It  was  enclosed  by  a 
slight  wooden  paling,  and  some  tasteful  hand  had  twined  the 
flexile  branches  of  the  sweetbriar  around  the  windows,  and 
reared  the  wild-rose  to  breathe  its  sweetness  beside  the  door. 
In  rear  of  the  building  was  a  garden  of  esculent  roots  and 
herbs,  with  a  small  orchard  of  fruit  trees,  and  extensive  fields 
of  corn  and  other  grain. 

Major  Atherton  scrutinized  every  object,  as  he  leisurely 
approached  the  house ;  but  no  person  was  visible  till  he  had 
nearly  reached  the  little  gate,  which  led  through  the  enclo- 
sure, when  the  door  unexpectedly  opened,  and  Miriam  Grey, 
with  a  smiling  face,  sprang  lightly  from  its  steps  upon  the 
velvet  turf.  She  did  not  observe  him;  but,  stooping  down, 
seemed  busied  in  training  her  rose-bushes ;  and  Atherton 
ventured  to  pause  an  instant  to  admire  the  grace  of  her  atti- 
tudes, and  the  loveliness  of  her  figure.  Without  perceiving 
it  Miriam  Grey  had  dropped  a  knot  of  ribands,  that  was  eag- 
erly seized  upon  by  a  frisking  kitten,  which  bounded  after  her 
mistress,  and  forthwith  began  to  toss  it  high  in  air,  and  un- 
mercifully twist  it  around  whatever  came  in  contact  with  it. 

But  Rover,  who  held  his  eye  fixed  on  his  hereditary  ene- 
6* 


66  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

my,  could  not  long  brook  her  insulting  mirth,  and  set  up  a 
bark  of  defiance,  which  at  once  changed  the  frolic  of  her  face 
into  a  gaze  of  fear  and  aversion,  her  mottled  back  rose  with 
astonishing  dignity ;  and  retreating  a  few  steps  she  stood  on 
the  defensive,  elevating  one  paw  to  retain  the  riband  ;  but  a 
second  and  fiercer  shout  from  Rover  drove  her  within  the 
door,  with  a  portentous  growl,  where  she  remained  secure  ; 
her  dilated  eyes  and  long  whiskers  occasionally  protruded 
from  her  lurking  place,  to  ascertain  the  movements  of  the 
enemy.  The  dog  was  about  to  leap  the  wicket  in  pursuit  of 
her,  when  the  voice  and  well-known  whistle  of  his  master  re- 
called him  ;  and,  at  the  same  time  attracted  the  attention  of 
Miriam  Grey.  She  started  in  confusion  and  blushed  deeply 
at  finding  herself  so  closely  observed.  Major  Atherton  bow- 
ed, and  passed  on ;  but  could  not  refrain  from  turning  his 
head  to  look  back  at  her ;  she  was  at  the  moment  examining 
her  disfigured  riband,  and  then  patting  her  affrighted  pet,  re- 
tired into  the  house  and  closed  the  door. 

'  What  is  the  matter  with  you,  Miriam  ?  '  enquired  Lois 
Grey,  as  her  cousin  entered  the  room,  where  she  was  sitting, 
with  a  few  female,  visitors  ;  '  has  any  thing  alarmed  you  ?  ' 

'  Nothing  in  the  world,  Lois  ;  but  see  my  beautiful  ribands, 
which  were  the  pride  of  my  new  cap,  and  now  they  are  quite 
spoiled.' 

'  It  is  a  mere  trifle,  Miriam  ;  but  you  are  always  so  heed- 
less.' 

'  Dear  cousin,  you  must  blame  my  mischievous  kitten.  I 
would  not  care,'  she  added  in  a  lower  tone,  «  but  I  have  been 
saving  them  so  long  to  grace  your  wedding,  Lois !  ' 

«  Nonsense  ! '  said  Lois,  quickly ;  '  give  me  the  knot,  Mir- 
iam ;  you  think  me  ingenious,  and,  perhaps,  I  can  make  it 
look  tolerable  again.' 

'  Such  worldly  vanities,'  observed  an  elderly  female,  '  are 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  67 

empty  and  unsatisfying  as  the  wind  ;  and  I  do  fear,  Miriam 
Grey,  that  your  heart  is  too  much  bound  up  in  them.' 

'  Not  my  heart,  good  mistress  Gilbert,'  returned  the  dam- 
sel, '  these  vanities  reach  no  further  than  my  head,  and  some- 
times touch  only  the  outside  of  that.' 

'  They  are  all  relics  of  popery,'  replied  the  other,  '  we  read, 
that  the  heathenish  Egyptians  were  decked  out  in  ornaments 
of  gold,  and  goodly  apparel,  and  were  they  not  fearfully  pun- 
ished for  their  idolatry  ?  ' 

'  Yet,'  returned  Miriam,  '  the  Israelites  borrowed  these 
same  ornaments  for  their  own  use,  and  were  permitted  to 
carry  them  from  the  land  of  Egypt.' 

1  And  the  Lord  gave  them  up  to  their  wicked  imaginations,' 
replied  the  dame,  '  and  they  made  a  golden  calf  in  the  wil- 
derness and  bowed  down  before  it,  and  worshiped  it.' 

'  Well,  Mistress  Gilbert,  I  cannot  make  a  calf  of  this  poor 
knot  of  ribands ;  and  I  am  sure  nobody  will  ever  admire  it 
now.' 

Miriam  Grey  rose  from  her  seat,  as  she  finished  speaking, 
and  the  brief  pause  which  ensued,  was  broken  by  a  female, 
somewhat  past  the  bloom  of  youth,  who  was  looking  earnest- 
ly from  a  window. 

'  Was  not  that  the  stranger  they  call  Major  Atherton,'  she 
asked,  '  who  past  just  as  you  left  the  door,  Miriam  ?  ' 

'I  believe  it  was  the  same.' 

'  He  has  left  the  crag  then,'  whispered  Lois  Grey,  to  her 
cousin  ;  '  I  thought  the  blue  knot  gave  you  an  unusual 
color.' 

'  That  must  be  the  youth  whom  they  say  is  near  akin  to 
our  Captain,'  observed  another  female,  who  had  remained  si- 
lent in  a  corner  until  her  companions  began  to  imagine  she 
had  fallen  asleep,  or  gone  into  a  trance. 

'  It  is,'  said  Lois  Grey  ;  '  he  arrived  here  during  his  kins- 


gg  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

man's  absencet  and  the  Governor  entertained  him  in  his  own 
house,  till  Captain  Standish  returned  from  the  Massachusetts. 
It  is  said  he  is  courteous  and  well-disposed.' 

« And  yet,'  resumed  the  spinster,  '  he  has  a  strange  way  of 
staring  with  his  eyes ;  he  looked  so  bold  at  the  window  as  he 
passed,  I  was  fain  'to  turn  away.' 

'  Indeed  ! '  said  Miriam  gravely,  though  her  brow  slightly 
curved,  'he  was  probably  admiring  the  view.' 

'  I  wonder  what  has  brought  him  to  this  country,'  said  Lois 
Grey  ;  '  he  does  not  seem  of  our  religion,  and  has  been  in  the 
service  of  the  king.' 

The  female  whose  silence  rendered  her  quite  a  prodigy  in 
the  group,  answered  in  a  mysterious  tone. 

'  They  do  say  that  he  is  a  papist,  sent  over  by  the  queen  to 
spy  out  the  "  nakedness  of  the  land,"  as  scripture  hath  it;  by 
which  I  mean,  to  watch  the  chosen  people  of  this  country,  to 
whom  the  rulers  of  the  kingdom  bear  no  good  will.' 

1 1  cannot  believe  that,' said  the  spinster;  'such  a  comely 
and  well-favored  youth  !  '  for  like  most  maidens,  even  old 
ones,  her  feelings  balanced  in  favor  of  a  handsome  young 
man. 

'  The  Lord  forgive  him,  if  it  is  so,'  cried  Mistress  Gilbert, 
with  uplifted  eyes  ;  '  and  now  I  think  of  it,  did  you  see  how 
he  stood  at  the  meeting,  when  he  first  went  in,  with  his  face 
covered,  praying  to  himself,  as  it  were  ? ' 

'  He  is,  probably,  of  the  church  of  England,'  said  Lois 
Grey  ;  '  and  that  is  one  of  its  forms.' 

'  It  is  an  evil  form,  which  savoreth  of  the  mark  of  the 
beast,'  returned  Mistress  Gilbert;  'and  I  do  much  marvel, 
that  our  worthy  Governor  could  harbor  such  an  one  in  his 
family.' 

'  And,'  resumed  the  silent  one,  who  seemed  suddenly  in- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  69 

spired,  '  his  hair  was  like  unto  Absalom's,  falling  over  his 
neck  and  forehead  to  please  the  eyes  of  the  vain  and  worldly.' 

'  It  is  an  awful  thing,'  said  Mistress  Gilbert,  « to  see  young 
people  given  up  to  follow  the  devices  of  the  sons  of  Belial. 
Now  I  think,  Miriam  Grey,  that  worthy  Master  Ashly  is  an 
example  to  our  youths  :  it  does  one  good  to  see  how  closely 
his  hair  is  clipped.' 

'  His  head  certainly  contains  very  little,'  replied  Miriam, 
with  the  utmost  gravity. 

'  That  it  does  not,'  returned  the  dame,  '  there  is  not  on  it  a 
hair  more  than  our  godly  ministers  have  in  their  pulpits  and 
assemblies  thought  proper  to  recommend.' 

1  True,'  answered  Miriam,  '  it  is  as  smooth  and  round  as  a 
green  pumpkin.' 

'  And  it  is  edifying,'  continued  the  other,  '  to  hear  him  pro- 
phesy in  our  meetings  ;  his  "  words  are  like  arrows,"  and 
they  enter  into  the  "  bones  and  marrow."  ' 

'  They  are  apt  to  stick  long  in  the  ear,'  observed  the  dam- 
sel. 

'  Yes,'  replied  Mistress  Gilbert,  '  he  is  gifted  with  a  spirit 
of  utterance ;  and  it  is  thought  that  if  one  of  our  pious  dea- 
cons should  be  called  to  "  put  off  his  fleshly  tabernacle,"  he 
would  be  chosen  to  "  fill  up  the  breach."  ' 

'  May  our  worthy  deacons  be  long  continued  to  us,'  said 
Miriam  Grey,  '  that  our  churches  may  have  peace  and  be" 
edified.' 

'  We  must  leave  the  event  to  Providence,  Miriam  Grey; 
but  as  the  aged  Eli  waxed  in  years,  the  people  cast  their  eyes 
upon  young  Samuel  to  minister  in  his  place.' 

'  Your  doctrine  savors  of  worldly  wisdom,  Mistress  Gil- 
bert.' 

'  God  forbid,'  ejaculated  the  dame,  '  that  our  spiritual  con- 


70  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

cerns  should  have  aught  to  do  with  the  affairs  of  this  transi- 
tory state.' 

Their  dialogue  was  here  interrupted  by  the  sound  of  ap- 
proaching footsteps,  and  the  subject  of  their  conversation  after 
a  preparatory  hem,  and  a  slight  scraping  of  his  feet,  entered 
the  apartment.  The  femate  visitors  exchanged  knowing 
looks,  and  then  fixed  their  eyes  on  Miriam  Grey,  probably  to 
discover  from  her  countenance  what  effect  the  unexpected  ap- 
pearance of  her  guest  might  produce  upon  her  feelings  ;  and 
her  easy  and  unembarrassed  manner  evidently  perplexed 
them.  Mr.  Ashly  paid  his  respects  to  the  company  with 
great  civility,  reserving  his  last  bow  for  Miriam,  and  perhaps 
intending  it  for  his  best ;  but  by  one  of  those  unlucky  chances 
that  often  defeat  our  favorite  projects,  it  proved  particularly 
awkward  ;  a  circumstance,  which  not  only  excited  a  slight 
smile  on  the  lips  of  the  damsel,  but  likewise  covered  the  young 
man  with  confusion,  who  plunged  into  the  nearest  chair  and 
thrice  crossed  his  legs  before  he  could  assume  a  comfortable 
position. 

Benjamin  Ashly  had  long  been  considered  the  lover  of  Mir- 
iam Grey;  nor  did  he  ever  deny  his  pretensions,  though  he 
had  not  as  yet  been  able  to  extort  from  the  maiden  a  word  or 
look  to  support  them ;  while  her  alternate  reserve  and  play- 
ful familiarity  kept  him  in  a  state  of  anxious  suspense.  Still 
he  was  encouraged  by  the  kindness  of  her  father,  who  openly 
favored  his  suit ;  and  unable  to  command  sufficient  resolu- 
tion to  learn  his  destiny  from  her  own  lips,  he  remained  the 
prey  of  doubt  and  distrust ;  and  with  the  diffidence  which 
sincere  affection  invariably  produces  on  a  timid  mind,  his 
wish  to  please,  and  dread  of  offending,  continually  embarrass- 
ed him,  and  destroyed  the  advantages  he  might  otherwise 
have  acquired  in  the  eyes  of  his  mistress.  His  person  and 
countenance  were  naturally  rather  agreeable  than  otherwise, 


PEEP     AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  71 

though  the  puritanical  cut  of  his  head,  which  Mistress  Gil- 
bert so  highly  commended,  was  certainly  unbecoming;  and 
the  excessive  gravity  of  his  features  presented  a  strong  and 
almost  absurd  contrast  to  their  youthful  appearance.  Edu- 
cated in  the  strictest  manner  of  his  sect,  he  was  early  taught 
to  consider  an  outward  conformity  to  its  prescribed  forms,  of 
essential  importance  ;  and  though  really  upright  in  conduct 
and  sincere  in  his  professions,  the  bigotry  of  his  principles 
had  tended  to  narrow  his  intellect,  and  prematurely  to  des- 
troy the  vivacity  and  cheerfulness  of  youth. 

'  Here  is  my  father's  elbow  chair,  will  you  take  it,  Mr. 
Ashly  ? '  said  Miriam  Grey,  rising  with  alacrity,  and  really 
anxious  to  dispel  his  embarrassment. 

'  Thank  you,  Miriam  ;  '  and  he  settled  into  it  with  a  grate- 
ful look,  and  a  smile  reflected  from  her  own  countenance,  '  I 
hope,'  he  added,  '  the  good  man  is  well !  ' 

'  Quite  well,  but  very  busy  ;  our  loaded  cornfields  require 
much  labor,  and  he  has  yet  to  prepare  for  his  intended  voy- 
age.' 

'  Captain  Martin  will  sail  shortly,  I  understand,'  observed 
Mr.  Ashly ;  '  the  departure  of  your  father,  Miriam,  will  re- 
move a  candlestick  from  our  temple.' 

'  Do  not  speak  of  it,  Mr.  Ashly :  I  cannot  yet  endure  the 
thought  of  a  separation  from  him,' — and  Miriam  bent  her 
head  to  conceal  a  tear,  which  she  in  vain  struggled  to  sup- 
press. 

'  He  is  in  the  keeping  of  One,  who  will  never  forsake  those 
who  put  their  trust  in  him,'  said  the  youth,  in  a  softened  voice  : 
'  and  you  have  many  friends,  Miriam,  to  comfort  you  during 
his  brief  absence.' 

'  I  do  not  indulge  in  idle  fears  for  his  safety,'  returned  Mir- 
iam ;  '  but  if  I  might  be  allowed  to  share  his  fatigues  and 
dangers,  I  should  be  happy.' 


72  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGUIMS. 

4  And  would  you  leave  me  alone,  and  in  solitude  ?  '  asked 
Lois  Grey,  reproachfully. 

'  Not  alone,  dear  Lois,'  replied  Miriam,  her  face  again 
brightening  into  smiles,  '  but  with  one  whose  society  is  far 
dearer  to  you  than  mine  can  be.' 

Miriam  spoke  in  a  low  voice,  which  however  reached  the 
ears  of  the  spinster,  who  was  remarkably  acute  in  detecting 
sounds  of  mysterious  import. 

'  I  thought,'  she  said,  '  something  like  that  would  happen 
before  Mr.  Grey  left  the  country ;  but  we  shall  know  all  about 
it  in  good  time,  I  suppose.' 

'  Are  you  speaking  of  a  wedding,  Rebecca  Spindle  ? '  asked 
Mistress  Gilbert.  '  Well,  you  need  not  blush  about  it,  Lois 
Grey,  marriage  is  a  divine  institution,  and  wisely  ordained 
for  the  happiness  of  mankind,  as  it  is  written,  "  it  is  not  good 
for  man  to  be  alone."  ' 

'  That  is  as  people  choose  to  think,  Mistress  Gilbert,'  said 
Rebecca  Spindle,  '  as  the  apostle  hath  it,  "  the  married  woman 
careth  for  the  things  of  the  world  that  she  may  please  her 
husband,  but  the  unmarried  woman  seeketh  to  please  the 
Lord,"  and  I  have  hitherto  experienced  the  benefit  of  the  ex- 
hortation, and  resisted  all  temptations  to  alter  my  present 
state.' 

'  Your  temptations  have  doubtless  been  manifold,'  said  Mir- 
iam Grey;  'but  I  trust  you  will  now  have  strength  to  perse- 
vere unto  the  end.' 

'God  willing,  it  is  my  intention,'  she  replied,  'unless  it 
should  be  clearly  my  duty  to  enter  into  a  wedded  state.  But 
I  would  not  blame  you,  Mistress  Lois,  for  holding  a  different 
mind.' 

'  Perhaps  our  opinions  on  the  subject,  are  not  so  very  dif- 
ferent;' said  Lois,  smiling.  'But  do  you  know  Benjamin 
Ashly,  if  any  passengers  go  out  in  the  ship  with  my  uncle  ? ' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  73 

'  I  have  heard  of  none  ;  but  there  was  a  young  gentleman, 
a  kinsman  of  Captain  Standish,  came  hither  in  her,  as  I  am 
informed,  to  view  the  country;  perchance,  he  may  be  ready 
to  return  at  that  time.' 

'  I  wish  he  may,'  said  Miriam,  '  my  father  would  find  much 
pleasure  in  the  society  of  an  agreeable  companion.' 

'  Do  you  know  aught  of  him  ? '  asked  Mr.  Ashly,  in  an  anx- 
ious tone. 

'  Nothing,  but  our  Governor  commends  his  courtesy  and 
polite  accomplishments,  and  his  countenance  speaks  well  for 
him.' 

1  You  have  seen  him  then  ? '  rejoined  Master  Ashly. 

'  By  chance  only,  once  or  twice ;  but  I  think  he  can  hard- 
ly have  satisfied  his  curiosity  yet,  in  looking  at  this  new 
world.' 

'He  is  a  son  of  the  church,'  observed  Mistress  Gilbert, 
'  and  what  lot  or  portion  can  he  have  in  our  favored  Zion  ? ' 

'  Churchman  or  not,  he  is  certainly  a  most  comely  looking 
young  gentleman,'  said  Mistress  Spindle,  whose  thoughts 
evidently  reverted  with  pleasure  to  the  handsome  stranger. 

'  Judge  not  by  the  outward  appearance,  Rebecca  Spindle,' 
returned  the  matron  ;  '  but  remember  that  the  "  Lord  looketh 
at  the  heart ;  "  these  time-serving  idolaters  of  images  and 
ceremonies  are  well  likened  unto  white  sepulchres,  which 
are  indeed,  "  outwardly  fair,"  but  within,  full  of  "  all  un- 
cleanness  !  " ' 

'  And  we  also  read,'  said  Miriam  Grey,  "judge  not,  that  ye 
be  not  judged ;  "  and  what  right  have  we  to  condemn  one,  of 
whom  we  have  heard  no  evil  ?  ' 

'  The  Lord  forgive  you,  Miriam  Grey  !  I  should  have  ex- 
pected the  child  of  one  so  godly  and  gifted  as  thy  father  is, 
would  have  too  much  regard  for  our  privileged  mode  of  wor- 
ship which,  as  our  minister  hath  it,  is  derived  from  the 
7 


74  PEEP     AT     THE     PiLGKLMS. 

apostles  themselves,  and  the  rites  of  the  primitive  church,  and 
is  the  only  sure  method  of  salvation,  to  be  upholding  the  vain 
superfluities  of  these  disciples  of  Anti-Christ.' 

4 1  can  value  my  own  privileges  and  opinions,  Mistress 
Gilbert,  and  yet  have  some  charity  for  those  who  differ  from 
me.  I  doubt  not  there  are  many  sincere  Christians,  even  in 
the  church  of  England.' 

*  It  may  be  so,'  returned  Mistress  Gilbert,  with  an  incredu- 
lous shake  of  the  head,  '  I  would  not  be  uncharitable ;  but 
there  are  older  and  wiser  ones  than  you,  child,  who  believe 
them  to  have  gone  clean  astray  from  the  word,  following 
the  devices  of  Balaam  son  of  Beor,  who  loved  the  wages  of 
iniquity.' 

4 1  think,'  observed  Benjamin  Ashly,  first  stealing  a  hesi- 
tating look  at  Miriam,  4 1  think,  Mistress  Gilbert  is  very  able 
in  her  reference  to  the  scriptures,  which  are  in  truth  our  only 
sure  guides ;  and  my  poor  memory  might  furnish  me  with  di- 
vers illustrations  of  what  she  hath  spoken  therefrom — but, 
but,'  he  stopped  abruptly ;  for  the  eye  of  Miriam  was  fixed 
upon  him,  and  he  found  it  impossible  to  withdraw  his  gaze 
from  the  face,  whose  arch  expression  completely  disconcerted 
him;  but  at  length  relieved  by  a  fit  of  coughing,  he  ventured 
to  proceed : 

4 1  believe  we  can  no  where  find  any  foundation,  for  the 
Popish  custom  of  reading  prayers  from  a  printed  book,  which 
must  have  been  a  conceit  and  invention  of  the  evil  one,  to 
save  careless  and  worldly  minded  men,  the  trouble  of  compo- 
sing, and  digesting  their  own  thoughts  ;  neither  can  I  find  the 
custom  of  kneeling  to  repeat  such  prayers,  authorized  in  the 
pages  of  Holy  Writ ;  and  I  know  not  by  what  arguments  you 
can  seek  to  uphold  it,  Miriam  Grey.' 

4  You  entirely  mistake  me,  Master  Ashly,'  returned  Mir- 
iam. 4  Heaven  forbid  that  I  should  seek  to  justify  the  errors 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  75 

and  superstitions  of  a  church,  which  has  loaded  with  calumny 
and  persecution,  those  who  presumed  to  differ  from  her,  in 
forms  and  faith ;  or  that  I  should  cease  to  prize,  far  above 
every  earthly  blessing,  the  pure  and  simple  worship,  which 
our  fathers  have  established  in  this  wilderness,  and  for  which, 
they  have  sacrificed  ease  and  comfort,  endured  the  scorn  of 
enemies,  the  reproach  of  friends,  and  the  loss  of  all,  that  the 
world  esteems  most  dear  and  desirable.  No,'  she  added  with 
energy,  '  the  daughter  of  a  devoted,  self-denying  Christian, 
of  one,  who  forsook  fortune,  kindred,  and  country,  to  plant 
the  truth,  and  establish  a  Christian  church  and  colony,  in  an 
unknown  savage  land,  would  not  exchange  her  proud  title,  to 
become  the  jeweled  empress  of  a  world  ! '  Mr.  Ashly  regard- 
ed the  glowing  countenance  of  the  maiden,  with  mingled  awe 
and  admiration  ;  but  quickly  resuming  her  usual  playfulness 
of  manner,  she  continued  : 

'  I  did  not  intend  to  enter  into  the  lists  of  controversy  with 
you,  Mr.  Ashly  ;  and  I  crave  your  pardon,  Mistress  Gilbert, 
you  were  speaking  of  Major  Atherton.' 

'  Yes,  but  I  am  sure  I  know  no  harm  of  the  youth,  apart 
from  his  false  doctrines,  of  which,  may  he  have  grace  given 
him  to  repent  and  turn  away  from ;  and  I  do  in  truth,  wish 
him  well,  for  the  sake  of  his  kinsman,  our  brave  Captain.' 

'  Our  Captain,'  said  Rebecca  Spindle,  'was  himself  once  of 
the  church,  and  don't  you  remember,  Mistress  Gilbert,  when 
we  first  came  over  from  Holland,  I  was  then  but  a  child,  as  it 
were,  that  there  were  some  who  thought  he  was  not  over 
sparing  of  Indian  blood.' 

'  Yes,  I  do  ;'  returned  the  other,  '  they  were  wild  savages,  to 
be  sure,  who  had  no  bowels  of  mercy  in  them  ;  but  they  had 
souls  to  be  saved,  as  well  as  ourselves ;  and  as  that  man  of 
God,  Mr.  Robinson, — the  like  of  whom,  I  fear,  will  not  rise 
up  again  in  our  Israel, — as  he  wrote  from  Leyden  to  our 


76  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

church  of  Plymouth,  in  the  grief  of  his  righteous  spirit,  "  he 
would  that  they  had  converted  some,  before  they  had  killed 
any." ' 

'  I  am  afraid,'  said  Miriam,  '  that  none  of  us  would  have 
been  left  alive,  either  to  kill  or  convert  them,  if  he  had  waited 
their  time.  No,  our  Captain  is  a  good  man,  as  well  as  brave 
and  fearless ;  as  my  father  says,  he  is  one  who  "  chose  to  suf- 
fer affliction  with  the  people  of  God,"  and  "through  faith 
wax  valiant  in  fight,  and  turn  to  flight  the  armies  of  the 
aliens."' 

'  And  his  young  kinsman  has  been  long  in  the  king's  army, 
I  understand,'  said  Lois  Grey. 

'I  thought  as  much,' observed  Mistress  Spindle, 'he  has 
such  an  upright  carriage,  and  moves  so  straight  and  easy, 
though  he  did  twist  aside,  somewhat,  to  look  into  this 
window.'  ,. 

'  And  is  it  not  strange,'  remarked  Mistress  Gilbert,  '  that  a 
reasonable  creature,  who  has  been  safely  brought  over  the 
yawning  deep,  where  he  has  seen  the  wonders  of  the  Lord, 
should  not  render  public  thanks  in  the  tabernacle  for  his  good- 
ness ?  I  wonder,  that,  like  Pharaoh  and  his  host,  he  was  not 
overturned  in  the  sea,  or,  as  another  Jonah,  swallowed  by  a 
monster  of  the  floods  ! ' 

'  Probably  it  is  not  the  custom  of  his  church,'  said  Miriam 
Grey. 

'  Very  likely,'  returned  the  dame,  '  I  doubt  they  are  sparing 
of  their  offerings  ;  these  children  of  an  idolatrous  and  polluted 
church ; — but  when  do  our  chosen  people  delay  to  put  up  a 
note,  to  ask  the  prayers  of  the  congregation  in  seasons  of  mer- 
cy or  affliction  ? ' 

'It  is, doubtless, a  scriptural  and  edifying  practice,'  rejoined 
Mr.  Ashly,  <  for  it  is  a  good  thing  to  give  thanks  unto  the 
Lord,  and  praise  is  comely  in  his  eyes.' 


\ 
PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  77 

'If  the  heart  is  sincere,' observed  Lois, 'our  ignorance  of 
forms  will  doubtless  be  forgiven.' 

Lois  Grey,  had  at  that  moment  put  the  finishing  stroke  to 
her  cousin's  knot  of  ribbons,  which  formed  the  principal 
ornament  to  a  new  cap,  of  more  courtly  fashion,  than  was 
usually  thought  consistent  with  the  extreme  simplicity  of 
dress,  at  that  time  adopted  by  the  Puritans  ;  and,  in  the  height 
of  her  surprise  and  pleasure  at  its  renovated  beauty,  Miriam 
Grey  forgot  the  recent  reproof  of  Mistress  Gilbert,  and,  flying 
to  a  looking  glass,  began  to  arrange  it  on  her  head.  The 
whole  assembly  was  mute  during  this  proceeding.  Mistress 
Gilbert  looked  at  her,  with  the  air  of  one  who  considered  any 
farther  words  on  the  subject,  as  '  pearls  east  before  swine ; ' 
the  silent  female  nodded  as  usual ;  Rebecca  Spindle  watched 
her  with  curiosity,  Lois  Grey  with  some  interest;  and  the 
quick  eye  of  Miriam  detected  the  figure  of  Mr.  Ashly  reflect- 
ed in  the  mirror,  sitting,  as  he  supposed,  remote  from  her  ob- 
servation, and  regarding  her  with  undisguised  admiration.  A 
spice  of  coquetry,  perhaps,  and  what  girl  of  eighteen  is  quite 
free  from  it  ?  induced  Miriam  Grey  to  push  back  the  lawn 
cap,  which  partly  concealed  her  snowy  brow,  and  leisurely 
arrange  several  braids  of  glossy  brown  hair,  then  carefully 
adjusting  her  new  head-gear,  she  turned  suddenly  to  the 
abashed  young  man,  and  inquired  in  a  tone  of  simplicity — 

'  Do  you  like  it,  Benjamin  Ashly  ?  ' 

'  I  like  every  thing  of  thine,  Miriam,'  he  answered  in  a  low 
voice,  and  quickly  approaching  her,  for  once  forgetful  of  his 
habitual  reserve 

'  That  will  do,  pray  sit  down  again,  Mr.  Ashly,'  said  the 
damsel,  in  a  hurried  accent,  herself  completely  abashed  by 
his  unexpected  manner  and  reply,  nor  had  her  heightened 
complexion  quite  faded  to  its  usual  delicacy,  when  her  father 
entered  the  room. 

7* 


78  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Mr.  Grey,  after  paying  due  courtesy  to  his  guests,  ap- 
proached his  daughter,  and  surveyed  her  a  moment  in 
silence,  with  a  look  of  peculiar  meaning,  which  did  not  at  all 
lessen  her  confusion. 

•What  are  you  looking  at,  so  steadfastly,  dear  father? 
inquired  Miriam,  turning  up  her  face  to  him,  perhaps  to  ob- 
serve his  countenance  better,  or  it  might  be,  to  throw  the  blue 
knot  into  the  back  ground ;  for  it  was,  in  truth,  the  gayest 
she  had  ever  ventured  to  wear. 

'It  is  this  which  surprises  me,  Miriam,'  returned  her  father, 
laying  his  hand  upon  the  ribbon,  which  at  once  yielded  to  his 
touch. 

'  Dear  father,  pray  do  not  crumple  it  so  ;  indeed  you  will 
quite  spoil  it.' 

'  And  is  it  in  a  Christian  assembly,  Miriam  Grey,  that  you 
would  exhibit  this  vain  bauble  ?  ' 

'  Any  where,  no  where,  if  you  will  spare  it  father ;  my  kit- 
ten has  pulled  it  in  pieces  once  to-day,  but  she  did  it  in  sport, 
and  Lois  has  been  so  kind  as  to  repair  it  for  me.' 

'  It  is  too,  too  gay,'  said  her  father,  '  I  would  not  see  you, 
my  child,  decked  out  in  garlands,  like  a  victim  prepared  for 
sacrifice,  or  a  pagan  image  set  up  for  worship.' 

1 1  am  sure,  father,  no  one  would  liken  a  woman  to  an  im- 
age, who  was  within  the  sound  of  her  tongue.' 

'  And  where  did  you  get  this  gaudy  thing,  Miriam  ?' 
'  My  aunt  sent  it  me  from  England,'  returned  Miriam,  '  it 
came  with  my  new  hood  and  scarf,  and  you  remember  that 
you  thought  they  looked  very  brave  at  first,  but  in  a  little  time 
you  grew  familiar  with  them,  and  said  they  would  do  for  a 
giddy  young  thing  like  me — now  dear  father,'  and  she  laid 
her  hand  playfully  on  his  arm — '  my  head  is  not  much 
older  or  wiser  than  it  was  then,  so  I  think  this  will  not  dis- 
please you  bye  and  bye.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  79 

'  Do  you  know,  Miriam,'  resumed  Mr.  Grey,  c  that  a  law 
of  our  land  has  enacted  fines  and  penalties  against  those  who 
indulge  in  costly  apparel  and  immodest  fashions  ?  ' 

'  I  remember  it  well,  father  ;  for  at  that  very  time,  my  kind 
aunt  had  given  me  an  embroidered  'kerchief,  which  I  was 
compelled  to  lay  aside,  till  it  was  quite  ruined.  But  I  am 
sure  this  cap  is  not  immodest,  and  it  cost  me  nothing  but  the 
trouble  of  writing  an  epistle  of  thanks.' 

'  Your  aunt  is  very  mindful  of  you,  Miriam  ;  but  slie  is  apt 
to  forget  that  we  have  renounced  those  vanities,  which  allure 
the  worldly  to  their  destruction.  What  says  the  apostle  Paul 
upon  the  subject  ?' 

'  I  forget  the  exact  words,'  said  Miriam,  '  something 
it  is  about  plaiting  the  hair,  and  wearing  goodly  apparel.' 

'Go,  learn  the  passage  from  your  Bible,  Miriam,  and  I  will 
leave  the  application  to  your  own  conscience.' 

'  Indeed,  I  will  not  wear  any  thing  which  is  displeasing  to 
you,  dear  father;  and  in  truth,  the  sacrifice  is  too  trifling  to 
cause  one  moment's  regret.' 

'  Consult  your  inclinations,  my  child,'  returned  her  father, 
'  I  know  you  would  not  willingly  give  the  world  occasion  to 
speak  reproachfully  of  yourself  or  me,  and  I  am  only  anxious 
to  see  you  adorned  with  the  "  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet 
spirit,"  which  is  indeed  a  "jewel  of  great  price." ' 

When  Lois  Grey  retired  to  her  chamber,  at  night,  she 
found  her  cousin  busily  engaged  in  twining  the  obnoxious 
ribbons  round  the  frame  of  a  small  picture,  which  ornamented 
the  apartment,  representing  a  thick  waisted  Dutch  peasant 
girl,  glowing  in  the  richness  of  Flemish  colors,  though  di- 
vers fearful  cracks  in  the  canvass  bore  undoubted  witness  to 
her  great  antiquity.  Miriam  turned  round  with  a  smiling 
countenance  as  Lois  Grey  entered  the  room. 

'  I  am  hanging  this  up  for  a  peace  offering,  Lois,'  she  said, 


80  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

<  and  I  am  sure  good  Mistress  Gilbert  herself  would  not  do  it 
with  greater  pleasure,  though  she  might  bring  forward  more 
texts  of  Scripture,  than  I  can  just  now  think  of,  to  prove  the 
necessity  of  it.' 

'  Are  you  quite  willing  to  give  it  up,  Miriam  ? ' 

'  Do  I  look  unwilling,  Lois  ?  no,  it  is  rather  gay  for  me, 
and  on  the  whole,  I  think  something  else  will  look  as  well  for 
the  wedding.' 

'  The  wedding  seems  a  great  event  with  you,  Miriam ;  is 
it  because  Benjamin  Ashly  is  to  be  invited  ! ' 

'  Benjamin  Ashly !  good  night,  Lois,  I  am  fast  asleep. 
But  I  will  just  ask  you,  if  one  would  not  think  it  must  take 
him  a  long  time  to  close  his  enormous  eyes  ?  why,  I  thought, 
to-day  they  looked  as  big  as  chocolate  basins.' 

( Is  that  a  dream,  Miriam  ?' 

'  Yes ;  you  need  not  wake  up  to  interpret  it.  Good  night 
Lois,  once  again !' 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  81 


CHAPTER    VII. 

Scenes  must  be  beautiful,  which  daily  viewed, 
Please  daily. 

COWPER. 

MAJOR  ATHERTON,  after  a  long  interview  with  Captain 
Martin,  repaired  to  the  Governor's,  where  the  remainder  of 
the  evening  glided  swiftly  away ;  and  if  the  testimony  of 
Mistress  Rebecca  Spindle  may  be  relied  on,  who  related  the 
circumstance,  with  an  air  of  mysterious  caution,  to  some  half 
dozen  of  wondering  female  friends,  on  the  following  day — he 
was  seen  loitering  around  the  dwelling  of  Miriam  Grey,  pre- 
cisely at  the  hour,  when  the  music  of  the  vesper  psalm  was 
heard  to  issue  from  a  room,  where  occasionally  a  figure  flit- 
ting before  the  shaded  windows,  denoted  the  family  were  as- 
sembled. 

Perhaps  it  was  a  gossip's  story;  but  however  that  may  be, 
his  absence  was  prolonged,  till  Captain  Standish  became  un- 
easy ;  and,  fearful  that  he  had  missed  his  way  in  the  forest, 
dispatched  a  stout  young  man,  who  served  him  in  various  ca- 
pacities, both  within  doors  and  without,  to  search  for  his  kins- 
man and  guide  him  back.  But  the  heart  of  the  emissary 
quaked,  when  he  found  himself  alone,  at  the  entrance  of  a 
forest  of  lofty  trees,  so  thickly  matted,  that  scarcely  a  ray  of 
the  rising  moon  could  pierce  their  foliage  ;  and  after  listening 
with  trembling  nerves,  till  fancy  had  conjured  up  a  thousand 
terrific  sounds,  he  thought  fit  to  retire  from  the  danger  ;  and, 
ashamed  to  encounter  his  master's  eye,  entered  an  out-build- 
ing, and  threw  himself  on  a  bundle  of  straw.  There  he  lay, 
listening  for  the  returning  steps  of  Atherton,  as  a  signal  to 
sally  out ,-  but,  unfortunately,  long  before  they  reached  his 


82  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

ears,  he  sunk  into  a  deep  slumber,  from  which  he  was  at 
length  unceremoniously  aroused  by  a  smart  blow  from  the 
flat  side  of  the  Captain's  broad  sword,  accompanied  by  the 
angry  tones  of  his  voice. 

'Is  this  the  way  you  obey  my  commands,  you  lazy 
loon  ?' 

The  man  started  on  his  feet,  simultaneously  rubbing  his 
eyes  and  the  shoulder  which  had  received  the  blow  ;  and 
more  alarmed  than  he  had  been  in  the  woods,  began  to  stam- 
mer forth  an  apology. 

'  I  did  go,  please  your  honor,  but  the  wolves  made  a  fear- 
ful howling,  and  I  thought  no  Christian  man  woyld  want  me 
to  put  myself  in  their  mouths.' 

'  The  wolves  !  you  poltroon  !  no  fear  that  they  would  relish 
such  a  cowardly  knave ;  no,  no,  David,  even  the  wild  beasts 
would  snuff  at  thee  ;  they  love  to  pick  the  bones  of  braver 
men  than  thou  art.  But  the  next  time  you  escape  their  jaws 
in  this  way,  I'll  have  you  tied  to  the  whipping-post,  or  put  in 
the  stocks  till  your  legs  ache  :  so  away  with  you.' 

David,  obedient  to  orders,  commenced  his  retreat  with  as 
much  alacrity,  as  his  illustrious  namesake  evinced,  when 
eluding  the  javelin  of  Saul ;  but  on  the  way,  he  received  an- 
other stroke,  in  the  rear,  which  not  a  little  accelerated  his 
speed.  Captain  Standish  and  his  attendants  then  left  the 
building,  to  which  they  had  been-  attracted  by  observing  the 
dog  which  followed  David,  lying  at  the  entrance,  where 
the  sonorous  music  of  the  young  man's  nose  betrayed  his  sit- 
uation within ;  for  Major  Atherton  had  returned  without 
meeting  him,  and  the  party  set  out  to  learn  his  fate. 

'  Well,  cousin  Atherton,'  said  Captain  Standish,  as  they 
rose  from  breakfast  the  next  morning,  '  since  you  have  not 
engaged  a  passage  back  to  England,  with  Captain  Martin,  I 
conclude  you  intend  to  winter  amongst  us;  and,  before  spring 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  83 

arrives,  perhaps  we  may  persuade  you  to  pitch  your  tent 
with  us  for  life  ; — ha,  Major  ?' 

'  You  .may  find  it  necessary  to  exert  your  persuasive  pow- 
ers in  the  opposite  scale,'  replied  Atherton ;  '  J  confess  I  am 
so  happy  here,  that  the  time  of  my  return  seems  every  day 
more  distant  and  uncertain.  I  am  here,  too,  removed  from 
the  scene  of  active  duties,  which  lately  occupied  me,  and 
feel  less  keenly  the  sacrifice  I  have  been  compelled  to  make 
in  relinquishing  my  profession. 

'  Ah,  you  left  both  that  and  your  country  in  good  time, 
Major  Atherton,  if  you  have  no  mind  to  be  set  about  fighting 
with  your  own  flesh  and  blood.  There  must  be  warm  work 
in  England,  before  long,  if  King  Charles  makes  such  a  fuss 
about  his  parliaments,  and  continues  to  persecute  his  dissent- 
ing subjects,  as  he  has  lately  done.' 

'  He  has  bad  counselors,'  said  Atherton ;  '  but  is  himself, 
a  virtuous  and  humane  prince,  and  really  solicitous  for  the 
happiness  of  his  people.' 

'  I  believe  it,  from  my  heart,'  replied  the  Captain  ;  '  and  I 
would  cheerfully  shed  the  last  drop  of  my  blood,  to  sustain 
the  honor  of  his  illustrious  name  ;  but  I  still  maintain,  that 
every  man  has  a  right  to  judge  for  himself,  in  matters  of  faith 
and  conscience ;  and  so  long  as  we  remain  peaceable  and 
loyal  subjects,  neither  king,  nor  bishop,  is  privileged  to  molest 
us,  for  thinking  differently  from  themselves.' 

'  An  established  religion  is  certainly  desirable,'  said  Ather- 
ton, '  and  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  those  who  fled  from 
persecution,  and  have  here  founded  a  Church,  on  what  you 
term  apostolic  principles,  would  be  as  severe  towards  those  of 
different  modes  and  opinions,  and  as  much  influenced  by 
prejudice,  as  the  church  of  England  has  ever  been,  in  regard 
to  her  dissenting  children.' 

'  Well,  well,  cousin  Atherton,  we  will  not  begin  with  call- 


84  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

ing  you  to  account,  unless  some  amongst  us  should  see  fit  to 
imitate  the  Massachusetts  people,  who  are  always  fond  of 
raising  a  breeze.  But  they  have  got  a  woman  in  hand  now, 
who,  I  doubt  not  will  give  them  trouble  enough,  with  her 
Antinomianism,  and  other  conceits  of  the  devil,  who  has  been 
a  friend  to  the  sex,  ever  since  he  had  such  good  luck  with 
mother  Eve.  But  I  am  going  to  walk,  now ;  and  if  you  have 
no  better  way  of  amusing  yourself,  will  ask  you  to  accom- 
pany me.' 

'  With  all  my  heart  :  shall  we  try  the  woods  again  ?' 

'  No,  I  should  like  to  give  you  a  glimpse  of  our  Canaan, 
from  the  top  of  mount  Pisgah,  yonder,'  replied  the  Captain, 
pointing  to  a  hill,  which  rose  to  a  considerable  height  above 
the  level  of  the  Bay  ;  and  to  this  day,  is  known  by  the  name 
of  the  <  Captain's  Hill.' 

'  This,'  he  continued,  as  he  led  the  way  to  its  summit,  by 
a  tolerable  easy  ascent,  '  this  hill,  and  the  beautiful  stretch  of 
land  which  you  see  running  into  the  bay,  was  assigned  to 
me,  by  the  Plymouth  company  ;  and  I  think  I  may  say  with- 
out boasting,  that  my  farm  looks  as  well  as  any  of  my 
neighbors',  though  I  hardly  knew  a  hoe  from  a  pitch-fork,  till 
I  was  obliged  to  use  them,  to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  hunger; 
for  we  had  scanty  rations,  when  we  first  came  over  here.' 

'  And  why  were  you  located  so  far  from  the  first  settle- 
ment?' asked  Atherton. 

'  We  found  it  necessary  to  remove  as  our  numbers  in- 
creased, to  give  each  other  elbow-room,  and  land  enough  to 
cultivate ;  and  the  old  colony  is  still  sending  forth  her  chil- 
dren to  people  new  settlements.  That  village,  lying  at  a 
short  distance  north  of  us,  is  called  Scituate,  and  is  the  only 
town  that  has  yet  been  incorporated;  even  Plymouth  has  no 
bounds  affixed  to  it,  though  the  little  clusters  of  houses  which 
you  see  here  and  there,  bid  fair  to  limit  it  ere  long.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  85 

'  Have  you  given  any  name  to  this  tract  of  land  ?'  asked 
Atherton ;  '  you  seem  to  have  already  gathered  a  flourishing 
village  around  you.' 

'  The  Indian  name  is  Matakeeset ;  but  we  begin  to  call  it 
Duxborough,  and  hope,  at  the  next  sitting  of  our  court  to  have 
it  incorporated.  It  is  now  nearly  ten  years  since  we  first 
felled  the  trees, and  began  to  build  our  houses  ;  and,  till  with- 
in two  or  three,  I  continued  to  reside  at  Plymouth,  during  the 
winter  season  ;  that  being  our  head-quarters ;  and  it  was  a 
long  march  through  the  snow-banks  to  do  military  duty ;  for 
we  were  obliged  to  keep  on  the  look-out,  lest  the  barbarous 
savages  should  rally  their  undisciplined  tribes,  and  come 
howling  upon  us  unawares.' 

'  This  is  indeed,  a  glorious  view,'  said  Alherton,  who,  lost 
in  admiration  at  the  prospect  opening  before  him,  had  scarcely 
heeded  the  last  remark.  '  With  what  grandeur  the  swelling 
ocean  tosses  its  troubled  waves,  till  lost,  as  it  were,  in  the 
immensity  of  space,  it  mingles  with  the  dusky  clouds  that 
rise,  like  gigantic  mountains,  from  its  foaming  bosom  !  Here 
it  seems  lulled  to  rest,  and  scarcely  ripples  upon  the  silver 
beach  ;  and  again,  it  rolls  proudly  along  the  indented  shore  ; 
and  curving  into 'a  broad,  full  basin,  breaks  against  the  sandy 
and  barren  promontory,  which  stretches  yonder,  as  if  in  defi- 
ance of  its  fury.' 

'That  is  Cape  Cod,'  said  Captain  Standish  ;  'the  most 
southerly  point  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  ;  and  a  dreary  place 
we  found  it,  when  we  landed  there,  in  the  frosts  of  Novem- 
ber. Our  ship  was  driven  in  amongst  dreadful  shoals  and 
breakers,  and  right  thankful  we  were,  to  step  ashore  on  al- 
most any  spot.  It  was  there  we  combined  ourselves  into  a 
body  politic,  enacted  our  first  laws,  and  elected  a  Governor 
for  the  following  year;  but  the  place  being  found  incon- 
venient to  winter  in,  we  made  several  voyages  around  the 
8 


86  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

coast,  to  discover  a  better  situation,  and  Providence  at  length 
guided  us  to  this  harbor.  We  put  into  it  in  a  storm  of 
wind  and  snow,  in  a  dark  and  fearful  night,  and  landed  on 
the  fine  wooded  island  which  you  see  just  below  us,  near  by 
the  beach.  It  is  named  Clark's  island,  from  the  mate  of  the 
ship,  who  first  stepped  upon  it ;  that  other  one,  joined  to  the 
Gurnet's  Nose,  by  a  strip  of  sand,  is  called  Sanguish.' 

'  They  are  pleasant  objects,'  replied  Atherton  ;  '  and  agree- 
ably diversify  the  scene  ;  but  how  magnificent  is  the  distant 
view  !  how  beautifully  the  flitting  clouds  rest  for  a  moment, 
on  the  dark  and  undulating  forests,  and  then  pass  off  and 
leave  them  glittering  in  the  morning  sun,  and  varied  with  the 
thousand  tints  of  autumn  !  And  to  the  north,  far  as  my  eye 
can  stretch,  beyond  these  sloping  hills,  and  hanging  wood- 
lands, and  above  the  summits  of  the  tallest  trees,  I  see  a 
range  of  lofty  mountains,  blue  as  the  skies  which  shelter 
them,  rising  like  monarchs  of  the  surrounding  wilderness.' 

o  o 

'Those  are  the  Blue  hills  of  Massachusetts,'  answered  the 
Captain ;  '  they  are  the  highest  in  the.  colony,  and  the  first 
point  of  land  visible,  as  you  approach  this  coast.  This  is, 
indeed,  a  noble  prospect,  and  well  worth  the  trouble  of  scram- 
bling up  here  to  gaze  at.  Look  down,  now,  upon  my  house, 
and  see  how  warmly  it  is  sheltered  in  that  sunny  valley. 
Those  trees,  which  shade  it,  were  but  saplings  when  I  first 
knew  the  spot ;  and  no  foot  but  the  wild  Indian's  had  trod 
those  fields,  where  the  ripened  grains  now  wave  in  the  light 
sea-breeze.' 

'I  think,  sir,'  said  Alherton,  'you  have  discovered  much 
taste,  as  well  as  good  husbandry,  in  your  improvements. 
Those  groups  of  trees  are  finely  disposed  about  the  dwelling ; 
but  what  is  that  single  one,  shooting  its  branches  with  so 
much  regularity,  from  the  aspiring  trunk,  and  dropping  its 
leaves  into  the  stream,  which  rushes  by  it;  it  is  tricked  out 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  87 

in  gaudy  colors,  and  at  this  distance,  might  be  mistaken  for 
a  crimson  banner  floating  on  a  citadel.' 

'To  me,'  said  the  Captain,  laughing,  'it  looks  more  like  a 
fair  weather  officer,  dressed  up  for  a  gala  day  ;  and,  like  many 
who  strut  well  at  a  field  review,  is  the  first  to  shrink  from 
peril.  The  slightest  touch  of  frost  changes  its  hue,  and  its 
gay  foliage  is  conspicuous  in  our  forests,  long  before  any 
other  tree  has  dropped  a  withered  leaf :  it  is  the  Maple,  and  I 
planted  that  one  with  my  own  hand.  1  lived  long  enough  in 
England,  Major  Atherton,  to  learn  the  value  of  fine  trees, 
though  many  here  seem  to  think  there  are  enough  in  the 
woods,  without  keeping  them  around  their  doors.  Perhaps 
my  taste  arises  from  the  predilections  of  youth ;  for,  I  well 
remember,  my  father  would  as  soon  have  seen  the  old  walls 
of  Standish  Hall  razed  to  the  foundations,  as  an  old  tree  cut 
down  from  the  lawn.' 

They  are  certainly  no  novelty  in  this  country,'  returned 
Atherton ;  '  but  to  me,  it  seems  a  strange  perversion  of  taste, 
which  can  induce  any  one  to  prefer  those  blackened  stumps, 
or  desert  plains,  to  the  living  green,  which  would  so  agree- 
ably shelter  their  roofs.  I  perceive,  too,  sir,  that  you  have 
paid  some  regard  to  minor  ornaments;  that  luxuriant  sweet- 
briar,  chequering  the  casement  with  its  dancing  leaves,  re- 
minds me  of  the  simplicity  and  neatness  of  an  English 
cottage.' 

'  Ah,  that  is  not  to  my  liking,'  replied  the  Captain ;  '  the 
prickly  things  are  springing  up  everywhere,  and  tearing  one 
without  mercy ;  but  I  left  that  growing,  to  please  my  little 
rose-bud  Miriam  Grey,  who  is  for  having  every  thing  sweet 
and  flowering  about  her.  She  took  a  great  fancy  to  this 
one,  and  begged  its  life  of  me  ;  and  I  know  not  how  it  is, 
but  these  pretty  maidens  will  contrive  to  make  us  do  any 
thing  they  like.' 


88  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'  It  is  even  so,'  said  Atherton,  smiling  ;  « but  that  bush  cer- 
tainly looks  very  well,  though  it  seems  to  require  the  prun- 
ing-knife,  just  now ;  and  if  you  will  allow  me,  I  will  try  my 
skill  in  training  those  crooked  branches.' 

'  Do,  if  your  fingers  are  proof  against  the  thorns  ;  and  now 
we  will  return  to  the  house,  if  it  please  you  ; — yet  stop,  a 
moment,  cousin  Atherton,  and  look  once  again  around 
you.' 

'  I  could  scarcely  weary  of  doing  so,'  replied  Atherton, 
'  and  shall  often  ascend  this  hill,  when  I  wish  to  regale  my 
eyes  with  the  charms  of  nature.' 

'  And  could  you  be  content  to  remain  here  for  life  ?'  asked 
the  Captain.  '  If  you  could,  cast  your  eyes  on  the  spot 
which  pleases  you,  and  it  is  yours.' 

'And  would  you  have  me  renounce  my  country  and 
religion  ?'  said  Atherton. 

'  Your  country  will  shortly  renounce  you,'  replied  the 
Captain,  '  unless  you  unsheath  your  sword  against  the  de- 
fenders of  a  faith  which  your  mother  loved;  you  must 
become  persecutor,  or  persecuted.' 

'  And  who  will  sustain  the  honor  of  my  father's  name,  if 
the  last  who  bears  it,  flies  from  the  land  which  gave  him 
birth  ?' 

'  It  is  only  transplanting  it  to  another  region  ;  our  country 
is  the  same,  and  we  are  all  subjects  of  the  same  gracious 
king.' 

'  Consider,  dear  sir,'  said  Atherton,  '  that  I  am  yet  but 
just  landed  on  your  shores;  all  is  novelty  to  me  ;  and  though 
I  am  at  present  well  pleased  and  happy,  time  alone  can 
strengthen  or  remove  my  prepossessions.' 

'  True,'  said  the  Captain,  who  perceived  he  had  been  pre- 
mature in  disclosing  his  wishes.  '  We  will  wait  patiently  till 
spring  arrives ;  young  men  are  apt  to  waver  in  their  minds, 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  89 

I  know.  At  your  age,  I  little  dreamed  of  ending  my  days 
in  that  cottage ;  but  we  know  not  what  is  before  us ;  those 
who  deprived  me  of  my  lawful  inheritance,  and  obliged  me 
to  resign  the  privileges  of  my  rank*  and  the  home  which 
sheltered  my  infancy,  to  seek  a  name  and  subsistence  in  a 
foreign  land,  doubtless  intended  it  for  evil  to  me  ;  but  Provi- 
dence, I  trust,  has  made  it  instrumental  of  good  to  myself 
and  those  who  have  relied  on  my  arm  for  defence,  in  this 
wilderness ;  and  I  can  now  truly  say,  I  would  not  exchange 
my  situation  for  all  the  luxuries  of  my  youth,  and  all  the  dis- 
tinctions which  then  seemed  within  my  grasp.' 

'  It  is  well,'  said  Atherton,  '  that  happiness  is  not  confined 
to  any  particular  place  or  circumstances  ;  I  am  even  inclined 
to  think  that  I  could  pass  the  remainder  of  my  life  in  such  a 
cottage,  without  casting  many  fond  looks  after  the  gay  world 
which  I  have  left  behind  me ;  but  at  present  I  am  a 
wanderer  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  and  shall  probably  visit 
many  climes,  before  I  return  to  England.' 

'  We  will  think  of  that  another  time,'  returned  the  Captain, 
1  and  now  that  you  have  seen  the  goodliness  of  the  land,  I 
have  but  to  show  you  some  of  its  comely  daughters,  and  we 
can  boast  of  many  ruddy  cheeks  and  bright  eyes  here,  Major 
Atherton.' 

'  So  I  have  seen,  Captain  ;  but  spare  my  heart  in  pity  ; — 
you  know  I  cannot  give  that  away  to  one  of  your  demure  lit- 
tle Puritans,  without  shaving  my  head  ;  and  I  should  by  no 
means  relish  the  alternative.' 

1  We  shall  see,'  answered  the  Captain,  as  they  descended 
the  hill ;  and  after  walking  for  a  time  about  his  farm, — for  he 
would  explain  all  its  arrangements  and  conveniences, — they 
returned  to  the  house  at  an  early  dinner  hour. 

When  the  repast  was  ended,  Major  Atherton  left  his  kins- 
man to  enjoy  a  solitary  pipe  of  tobacco,  and  commenced  a 
8* 


90  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

zealous  attack  on  the  sweet-briar,  which  he  intended  to  make 
resemble  as  nearly  as  possible,  the  beautiful  one  he  had  ob- 
served around  the  windows  of  Miriam  Grey ;  but  owing  to 
his  want  of  skill  perhaps,  he  lopped  away  branch  after  branch, 
till  nothing  but  a  mere  skeleton  remained.  Dissatisfied  with 
his  own  work,  he  was  in  the  act  of  abandoning  it,  when  the 
dashing  of  oars  in  the  water  attracted  his  attention,  and  look- 
ing round,  he  perceived  a  small  boat  approaching  the  shore, 
and  occupied  by  four  persons  ;  two  of  whom  were  regarding 
him  with  particular  attention.  These  he  quickly  discovered 
to  be  Miriam  Grey  and  Peregrine  White,  who  seemed  en- 
gaged in  a  merry  conversation,  of  which  Atherton  fancied 
himself  the  subject,  though  the  damsel  averted  her  eyes,  and 
half  turned  her  light  figure  from  him,  when  she  found  herself 
observed.  On  the  seat  beside  her  reclined  her  father,  with 
folded  arms,  as  if  engrossed  by  his  own  meditations  :  his  eyes, 
now  fixed  upon  the  watery  deep,  and  then  turned  up- 
wards, apparently  to  watch  the  swelling  clouds,  which, 
began  to  flit  rapidly  before  a  rising  autumnal  blast. 
Benjamin  Ashly  wielded  the  oars  with  slow,  but  deter- 
mined accuracy,  and  evidently  listened  to  the  conversation 
of  his  companions,  with  a  degree  of  interest  that  rendered 
him  inattentive  to  his  manual  exertions ;  for  the  boat 
was  gliding  past  the  spot  where  Major  Atherton  stood,  when 
Peregrine  White,  starting  on  his  feet,  and  standing  firm  and 
erect  in  the  tossing  bark,  seized  the  arm  of  Ashly,  with  a 
force  and  suddenness  that  almost  ejected  the  oar  from  his 
hand,  and  bowed  the  side  of  the  vessel  to  the  water's  edge. 

'  Bless  me,  Peregrine,'  said  Miriam  Grey,  catching  her 
father's  arm  ;  '  you  give  us  more  exercise  than  the  winds, 
and  in  truth,  I  think  they  are  less  rude  than  your  boyish  tricks.' 

'  Now  don't  be  angry,  Miriam  ;  for  it  was  not  me  after  all ; 
but  this  grampus  floundering  about  here.  Ho!  Benjamin 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  91 

Ashly,  are  you  asleep  again  ?  I  believe,  on  my  conscience, 
you  were  nodding  at  the  oars  just  now.' 

'  It  would  be  well,  Master  Peregrine,  if  you  would  be  quiet 
a  little  oftener,'  replied  the  other,  in  a  grave  voice. 

'  Better  said  than  done,  that,  Mr.  Ashly  ;  but  are  you  steer- 
ing out  to  Cape  Cod?'  and,  without  ceremony  he  snatched  the 
oars  from  his  hands  and  dashed  them  into  the  water,  with 
quick  and  powerful  strokes,  which  brought  them  in  a  mo- 
ment to  the  strand. 

'  Why  do  you  bring  U3  here,  young  man  ?'  said  Mr.  Grey, 
sternly  ;  '  is  it  to  serve  thy  gamesome  humor. at  our  expense  ?' 

'  No,  sir,'  replied  Peregrine,  an  air  of  respect  mingling 
with  his  habitul  levity  ;  'but  I  wish  to  speak  with  Major  Ath- 
erton,  who  stands  gazing  at  us  from  under  the  rose-bush,  yon- 
der ;  and  I  am  mistaken  if  my  absence  be  much  regretted 
here.' 

'  None,  on  my  word,  as  we  value  our  lives  and  comfort,' 
said  Miriam  Grey ;  and  the  sweet  and  sportive  tones  of  her 
voice  fell  like  music  on  the  ear  of  Atherton. 

'Fare  you  well,  then,'  said  Peregrine,  springing  on  the 
shore ;  '  here  are  the  paddles,  Master  Benjamin  Ashly  ;  so 
paddle  yourself  off  swiftly,  and  dexterously;  but  have  a  care 
that  you  don't  flounce  about  and  upset ;  for  the  damsel  there, 
though  she  is  light  enough,  cannot  float  forever,  and  you 
would  shoot  to  the  bottom  like  a  bullet.' 

'  Methinks  our  voyage  will  prosper,'  said  Miriam,  '  now 
that  we  are  no  longer  burthened  with  a  Jonas  to  endanger 
us.' 

'  You  will  see  me  again  in  season  to  pilot  you  home,'  said 
Peregrine,  elevating  his  voice  as  they  receded  from  the  shore, 
'  and  I  will  bring  the  Captain  with  me,  shall  I,  Miriam  ?' 

Miriam  nodded  assent. 

'  And  Major  Atherton  ?'  he  added;  but  the  damsel  proba- 


92  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

bly  did  not  hear  ;  for  she  turned,  at  the  moment,  to  address 
her  father,  and  Peregrine  laughing,  proceeded  towards  the 
house. 

'  Well  now,  Major  Atherton,'  exclaimed  the  youth,  '  why 
don't  you  speak  to  me,  instead  of  staring  at  the  water,  as  if 
there  was  a  whale  spouting  in  it  ?' 

'I  am  truly  glad  to  see  you,' returned  Atherton;  'but  I 
was  busily  watching  the  boat  you  have  just  left ;  see  how 
fast  it  scuds  before  the  wind  !' 

'  It  is  a  trim  little  bark  enough,'  replied  Peregrine,  '  and 
decked  out  with  fair  lading,  as  I  doubt  not  you  were 
thinking.' 

'  It  dances  like  an  egg-shell,'  pursued  Atherton ;  '  and  I 
should  think  there  are  few  females,  who  would  not  feel  some 
degree  of  alarm  on  such  tossing  waves.' 

'  There  is  really  no  danger,'  said  Peregrine  ;  '  and  Miriam 
Grey  would  be  the  last  person  in  the  world  to  imagine  it ;  she 
is  used  to  such  things,  and  never  plagues  one  with  her  idle 
fears,  like  other  women.' 

'  How  far  are  they  going  ?'  asked  Atherton. 

'  Just  round  the  bay,  to  a  house  near  the  beach,  north  of  us. 
I  fell  in  with  them  by  good  luck,  as  they  were  pushing  off 
from  Plymouth,  and  I  was  thinking  how  I  should  get  here 
this  afternoon  without  taxing  my  legs  with  the  trouble  of 
bringing  me.  It  was  long  though,  before  I  could  make  that 
round-eared  Ashly  hear  my  call;  for  which  I  owe  him  a 
ducking,  and  I  have  some  idea,  that  the  old  man  himself, 
would  have  been  as  well  pleased  if  I  had  staid  behind.' 

'  You  mean  to  wait  here  till  they  return  ?'  asked  Atherton. 

'  No,  I'll  not  trust  to  their  stopping  for  me,  and  I  want  you 
and  Captain  Standish  to  go  with  me  and  meet  them  at  wor- 
thy Mr.  Woodman's.  You  shall  have  a  treat  from  Benjamin 
Ashly,  who,  I  know,  means  to  hold  forth  like  a  saint,  and 
Miriam  Grey  will  look — ' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  Uo 

'Like  an  angel,  I  suppose  you  would  say,'  interrupted  Ath- 
erton,  with  a  smile  ;  '  but  here  comes  the  Captain,  who  can 
speak  for  himself.' 

'  Ah  !'  said  Captain  Standish,  at  that  moment  thrusting  his 
head  from  the  door.  '  I  thought  you  were  here,  Master  Per- 
egrine ;  I  could  no  more  mistake  the  sound  of  your  tongue, 
than  I  could  the  clapper  of  a  wind-mill.' 

'  You  mean  that  they  both  make  a  noise,  I  suppose,'  said 
Peregrine ;  '  and  in  my  mind,  they  were  both  made  for  that 
purpose.' 

'  Yes,  and  they  are  both  used  to  grinding  out  chaff,'  said 
the  Captain. 

'  Which  shows  that  there  is  some  good  grain  at  the  bot- 
tom, and  so  Captain,  I  expect  mine  will  sprout  up,  and  pro- 
duce a  wonderful  harvest  some  of  these  days.' 

'  May  the  time  be  hastened,'  said  the  Captain  ;  '  or  we  shall 
begin  to  think  it  is  choked  by  the  tares.' 

1  All  in  good  time,  Captain.  And  now  I  will  deliver  my 
message,  if  it  please  you  to  hear.' 

'  Speak  on,  young  man.' 

'  Well,'  continued  Peregrine, '  you  see  yon  skiff,  dipping 
into  the  waves  like  a  sea-gull !  It  landed  me  safe  in  your  do- 
minions, and  a  certain  laughing  damsel,  called  Miriam  Grey,' — 

'  Ah !  my  little  rose-bud  !'  interrupted  the  Captain,  '  and 
why  did  she  come  so  near  without  stopping  to  see  me  ?' 

'  I  do  not  know,  indeed,'  replied  the  youth,  unless  Major 
Atherton,  who  was  standing  there,  like  a  giant  to  defend  your 
castle,  frightened  her  away.' 

'  I  should  be  sorry  to  produce  such  an  effect  on  her,'  said 
Atherton,  laughing. 

1  You  are  right,'  returned  Peregrine,  archly.  '  I  am  think- 
ing you  meditated  something  entirely  different.' 

'  Young  maidens  are  not  apt  to  be  alarmed  at  the  sight  of 


94  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

a  gallant  young  man,'  observed  the  Captain  ;  '  but,  bless  me, 
Major  Atherton,  what  have  you  been  doing  to  this  briar- 
bush  ?' 

'Trimming  it,'  said  Atherton  ;  'though  I  must  confess,  it  is 
done  clumsily  enough.  I  intended  it  should  look  precisely 
like  Miriam  Grey's.' 

'  It  looks  as  much  like  her's,'  said  Peregrine  White,  '  as 
she  does  like  mistress  Rebecca  Spindle  ;  but  I  crave  your 
pardon,  Captain ;  perhaps  the  spinster  is  a  favorite  of 
yours.' 

'  You  are  a  saucy  lad,  Peregrine,  and  not  worth  the  mind- 
ing, or  I  should  try  to  mend  your  manners  with  the  point  of 
my  sword.' 

'  With  your  leave,  Captain,  I  think  it  might  help  to  make 
a  breach  in  my  manners  ;  but  I  doubt  if  it  would  readily 
mend  them.' 

'  No,  no,  boy;  they  are  past  all  mending;  but,  if  it  please 
you,  unburthen  yourself  of  the  remainder  of  that  message  ; 
I  am  waiting  to  hear  it  now.' 

'  The  message  !  oh,  it  is  that  you  will  go  with  me  to  Mas- 
ter Woodman's,  and  spend  an  hour  or  so  ;  Miriam  Grey  ex- 
pects you,  and  likewise  Major  Atherton.' 

'  Take  care,  Master  Peregrine,'  said  Atherton,  'remember 
I  was  near  you,  and  could  hear  all  that  passed.' 

'  True,  and  now  I  recollect,  Major,  she  did  not  want  you  ; 
but  you  do  not  know  what  she  said  before  we  reached  the 
shore.' 

'  Perhaps  it  was  something  I  should  not  care  to  hear.' 

'It  was  nothing  very  remarkable,'  said  Peregrine;  'she 
only  wondered  who  that  tall  savage  could  be,  who  was  hack- 
ing up  her  rose-bush  so  unmercifully,  and  said — ' 

'  That  is  quite  enough,'  interrupted  Atherton. 

'  Oho,  you  have  not  had  the  cream  of  it.     She  says — ' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  95 

*  Never  mind  the  girl,'  interposed  the  Captain  ;  '  she  is 
privileged  to  say  any  thing  that  suits  her ;  and  now  let  me 
know,  Peregrine,  who  is  with  her  in  the  boat.  But  the  wind 
grows  raw  and  blustering,  and  it  is  my  mind  that  we  have 
stood  in  it  long  enough.' 

'  Her  father  and  Benjamin  Ashly,'  said  Peregrine,  as  he 
followed  into  the  house  ;  '  and  the  last  mentioned  personage, 
I  believe,  has  been  putting  his  brains  in  order  to  settle  the 
dubious  points  of  faith  and  doctrine  to-night ;  for  he  towed  us 
along  like  a  snail  dragging  a  cockle-shell.' 

'  And  do  you  mean  to  render  him  assistance,  with  your 
knowledge  and  experience  ?'  asked  Atherton. 

'  Not  I,  truly ;  they  would  look  upon  me  with  as  much  as- 
tonishment, as  the  people  of  old  did,  when  they  found  Saul 
among  the  prophets.' 

'  You  had  better  stay  the  evening  with  us  then,'  said  the 
Captain  ;  '  it  is  far  to  go  ;  and  unless  Major  Atherton  wishes 
it,  I  had  rather  remain  at  home.' 

'  Certainly  not,  I  should  by  no  means  wish  to  intrude  my- 
self into  the  house  of  an  entire  stranger.' 

'  I  wish  I  had  kept  on  in  the  boat  then,'  said  Peregrine 
White ;  '  for  I  have  no  fancy  for  a  lonely  jaunt,  with  nothing 
but  a  dog,  or  my  walking-stick  to  speak  with.  But  where  is' 
Alexander  ?' 

'  He  has  been  out  with  Hobamock  to  fish  since  morning,' 
said  the  Captain.  '  I  believe  the  boy  will  turn  Indian  before 
long;  he  is  so  won  over  by  their  wandering  sort  of  life.' 

'I  should  like  very  well  to  walk  part  of  the  way  with  you, 
Peregrine,'  said  Atherton ;  '  but  you  can  stay  with  us  yet  an 
hour  or  two.' 

'  Be  it  so  then,'  replied  Peregrine  ;  '  the  savory  smell  of  a 
venison  pasty,  which  reaches  me  from  the  kitchen,  is  very 
refreshing,  and  will,  doubtless,  prove  as  substantial  as  Benja- 
min Ashly's  exhortations,  and  be  far  more  quickly  dispatched.' 


96  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

The  evening  proved  dark  and  chilly  ;  but,  with  health  and 
spirits,  which  bade  defiance  to  its  inclemency,  the  young  men, 
at  a  seasonable  hour,  commenced  their  walk  towards  the 
house  of  Mr.  Woodman.  It  was  two  or  three  miles  from 
the  residence  of  Captain  Standish  ;  and  the  few  stars,  that 
now  and  then  broke  through  the  general  gloom,  served  to 
direct  their  course,  which,  after  a  short  distance,  seemed  to 
diverge  from  the  abodes  of  man,  and  at  one  moment  led 
them  through  the  intricacies  of  a  wood,  and  the  next  brought 
them  to  the  shore  of  the  restless  ocean. 

'  Heaven  defend  us  from  a  cold  bath  !'  said  Peregrine 
White.  '  I  am  not  inclined  to  try  my  skill  in  swimming  on 
such  a  night  as  this  !' 

'  Since  we  have  escaped  those  break-neck  stumps  which 
threatened  our  downfall  in  the  woods,'  said  Atherton,  '  I 
think  we  may  find  our  path  clear  for  the  remainder  of  the 
way.  Yonder  is  a  light,  if  I  mistake  not.' 

'  Yes,  and  that  is  the  end  of  our  journey,'  said  Peregrine, 
joyfully. 

'  Here  then  we  must  part,'  rejoined  Atherton. 

'Go  with  us,'  replied  Peregrine,  '  and  we  can  land  you  at 
the  Captain's  on  our  return,  without  the  least  difficulty.  It  is 
a  tedious  walk  for  you  alone.' 

'  No,  Rover  and  I  shall  be  there  before  you  ;  so  look  up  to 
the  window  for  a  signal  light,  as  you  pass  by.' 

'  I  must  then  bid  you  good-bye,  Major  ;  for  see  !  the  door 
is  this  moment  opening,  and  they  are  all  sallying  forth.' 

'  Good  night,  then  ;  but  let  me  entreat  you  to  be  prudent, 
and  manage  your  boat  cautiously  ;  it  is  a  trying  night,  and  I 
fear  your  voyage  will  be  uncomfortable  at  the  best.' 

4  Never  doubt  me,'  said  Peregrine  ;  I  know  the  paths  of 
the  ocean,  as  well  as  the  fish  that  swim  in  it ;  so  fare  you 
well.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  97 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


To  hear 


The  roaring  of  the  raging  elements, — 

To  know  all  human  skill — all  human  strength, 

Avail  not :  to  look  round  and  only  see 

The  mountain  wave,  incumbent  with  its  weight 

Of  bursting  waters,  o'er  the  reeling  bark, — 

Oh  God !  this  is  indeed  a  dreadful  thing ! 

SOUTHET. 

THE  house  to  which  Peregrine  White  directed  his  steps, 
was  situated  near  the  extremity  of  a  narrow  beach  which 
separated  the  ocean  from  a  projecting  bay;  and  Atherton 
paused  till  the  little  party  had  exchanged  their  last  adieus, 
and  Miriam  Grey,  leaning  on  her  father's  arm,  approached 
the  bark,  which  was  loosed  from  the  moorings,  and  shortly 
commenced  its  passage  across  the  bay.  The  morning  of 
that  day  had  been  serene  and  brilliant,  but  with  the  vari 
ableness  so  common  in  the  capricious  climate  of  New-Eng- 
land, its  noon-tide  splendor  was  overcast  by  dark,  though 
passing  clouds,  and  the  setting  sun  was  shrouded  in  a  lurid 
mist,  portending  an  approaching  change  of  weather.  Still, 
however,  the  clouds  hung  back,  as  if  unwilling  to  collect 
and  blacken  the  pure  arch  of  heaven ;  and  as  Major  Ath- 
erton yet  lingered  on  the  spot  where  his  companion  had 
left  him,  the  heavy  masses  seemed  rolling  away,  leaving 
large  tracts  of  blue  and  spangled  sky ;  and  the  waning 
moon,  encircled  by  a  broad  zone  of  crimson  vapor,  began 
to  rise  from  her  watery  bed,  and  to  shoot  a  trembling  light 
across  the  track  of  the  lonely  voyagers. 

Actuated  by  a  latent  interest,  which  he  however  ascribed 
to  the  mere  impulse  of  curiosity,  Major  Atherton  enveloped 
9 


98  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

himself  more  closely  in  the  ample  folds  of  a  military  cloak, 
to  ward  off  the  piercing  blast ;  and,  turning  from  the  path 
that  led  back  to  his  kinsman's  house,  proceeded  with  rapid 
steps  along  the  beach,  which,  extending  nearly  three  miles 
in  a  south-easterly  direction,  terminated  in  an  eminence 
called  the  Gurnet's  Nose,  then  joined  to  the  Sauguish  by  a 
strip  of  sand,  though  it  is  now  many  years  since  the  en- 
croaching waves  have  insulated  it.  On  his  left,  the  Atlantic 
tossed  its  foaming  billows,  sending  forth  suppressed  and  sul- 
len murmurs,  and  seeming  to  await  the  rising  blast  to  lash 
them  into  fury ;  while  on  the  other  side  the  agitated  waters  of 
the  bay  dashed  fearfully  against  the  strand,  as  if  seeking  to 
submerge  the  slight  barrier  which  separated  them  from  the 
boundless  deep.  The  moon  was  struggling  with  the  clouds 
that  constantly  flitted  across  her  disk,  affording  to  Atherton 
but  partial  glimpses  of  the  little  bark,  which  he  continued 
to  watch  with  an  anxiety  that  rendered  him  insensible  to 
personal  inconvenience.  It  rode  manfully  on  a  heavy  sea, 
and  in  the  eye  of  the  wind,  which  rendered  its  management 
difficult,  and  even  dangerous,  and  required  the  most  stren- 
uous efforts  of  the  young  men,  who  plied  the  oars  with  a 
dexterity  and  skill  that  promised  ultimate  and  well-earned 
success.  They  were  still  near  the  beach,  to  which,  in  spite  of 
their  exertions,  the  wind  continually  impelled  them  ;  and  as 
a  ray  of  light  occasionally  glanced  on  the  countenance  of 
Miriam  Grey,  Atherton  remarked  with  admiration  the  sereni- 
ty of  its  expression,  and  the  air  of  calmness,  mingled  with 
awe,  with  which  she  regarded  the  angry  elements.  Appa- 
rently unmoved  by  fear  or  anxiety,  she  gently  reclined  on  her 
father's  protecting  arm,  while  both  maintained  a  profound  and 
unbroken  silence.  Indeed  all  were  so  much  engrossed  by 
their  peculiar  situation  or  reflections,  that  Atherton  was  en- 
tirely disregarded,  though  frequently  so  near  that  the  sound 


PEEP    AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  99 

of  his  footsteps,  on  a  calm  evening,  might  have  been  distinct- 
ly heard  by  them.     Presently,  the  voice   of  Miriam  Grey, 
more  sweet  and  touching   from   the  contrast  of   discordan 
sounds  which  raved  around  her,  stole  upon  the  ear  of  Ather- 
ton,  as  in  solemn  measure  she  sung  the  following  psalm  : 

'  The  Lord  doth  reign,  and  clothed  is  he  with  majesty  most  bright : 

His  works  do  show  him  clothed  to  be,  and  girt  about  with  might. 
The  world  is  also  'stablished,  that  it  cannot  depart : 
Thy  throne  is  fixed  of  old,  and  thou  from  everlasting  art. 

'  The  floods,  0  Lord,  have  lifted  up— they  lifted  up  their  voice — 

The  floods  have  lifted  up  their  waves,  and  made  a  mighty  noise. 
But  yet  the  Lord  that  is  on  high  is  more  of  might,  by  far, 
Than  noise  of  many  waters  is,  or  great  sea-billows  are.' 

As  she  proceeded  in  the  last  verse,  her  voice  became  slight- 
ly tremulous  ;  for  the  wind,  which  at  the  commencement  of 
it  seemed  dying  away,  as  if  lulled  to  silence  by  her  melody, 
suddenly  rose  with  redoubled  energy,  and  the  darkened  sky 
almost  concealed  from  his  view  the  frail  bark,  which  was  at 
one  moment  borne  on  the  top  of  a  tremendous  wave,  and  the 
next,  almost  engulphed  beneath  it.  They  were  nearly  op- 
posite the  Gurnet's  Nose,  and  the  wind,  eddying  around  the 
point  of  land,  rendered  their  endeavors  to  keep  out  in  the  open 
bay,  every  instant  more  precarious. 

Major  Atherton  could  no  longer  distinguish  any  object 
amidst  the  deepening  gloom ;  but  he  still  occasionally  caught 
the  cheerful  voice  of  Peregrine  White,  and  once  distinctly 
heard  Mr.  Grey,  with  his  usual  calmness,  say, 

4  Bear  off  from  the  shore,  and,  by  the  leave  of  Heaven,  I 
trust  we  shall  soon  be  in  safety.' 

'  Atherton  listened  for  another  voice,  and  longed  to  know 
if  the  countenance  of  Miriam  still  retained  the  sweet  tranquil- 
lity he  had  just  remarked  on  it,  and  which  struck  him  as  even 


100  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

more  fascinating  than  its  usual  sportive  gayety.  But  he 
heard  only  the  heavy  strokes  of  the  oars,  which  became  mo- 
mently more  and  more  distant ;  and,  satisfied  that  they  were 
well  acquainted  with  the  navigation  of  the  bay,  his  fears  for 
their  safety  gradually  subsided,  though  it  was  not  till  con- 
vinced they  were  beyond  his  observation,  that  he  began  to 
feel  his  own  situation  to  be  uncomfortable,  if  not  hazardous. 

The  wind,  which  had  exhausted  its  fury,  and  seemed  to  be 
sinking  away  in  hollow  murmurs,  had,  indeed,  enabled  the 
party  in  the  boat  to  make  some  progress  in  the  direction  they 
wished;  but  its  violence  was  shortly  redoubled,  and  the  light 
skiff  appeared  totally  unable  to  resist  the  combined  force  of 
the  winds  and  waves,  that  threatened  to  dash  it  among  the 
shoals  and  rocks  around  the  Gurnet.  The  only  hope  of  safety 
remaining  to  them,  was  the  chance  of  reaching  a  spot  where 
they  could  land  in  safety;  but  at  which,  amidst  the  darkness 
of  the  night,  and  the  roaring  of  the  waves,  it  seemed  almost 
impossible  to  arrive. 

Until  the  moment  of  extreme  peril,  Mr.  Grey  remained  by 
the  side  of  his  daughter ;  and,  while  pressed  by  his  encircling 
arm,  Miriam  felt  in  comparative  safety  ;  but  when  the  danger 
became  more  pressing,  and  required  his  experience  and  skill 
to  assist  the  exertions  of  his  younger  companions,  all  the  for- 
titude and  resignation  of  a  vigorous  and  well-principled  mind 
could  hardly  support  her,  amidst  the  terrors  of  a  scene  which 
might  have  appalled  even  the  stoutest  heart.  Mr.  Grey,  ag- 
onized with  apprehensions  for  his  daughter,  which  rendered 
him  almost  insensible  to  personal  danger,  pressed  her  to  his 
bosom  with  the  mingled  sorrow  and  affection  which  the  dan- 
ger inspired,  and,  silently  commending  her  to  the  protection  of 
Him  who  directs  the  storm,  and  controls  the  raging  winds,  he 
applied  himself,  with  all  the  promptitude  and  energy  which 
the  exigency  demanded,  to  guide  the  tossing  bark,  amidst  the 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  101 

jarring  of  the  contending  elements.  Miriam  Grey  covered 
her  face  with  both  her  hands,  if  possible,  to  screen  her  eyes 
from  the  threatening  danger,  though  she  could  not  shut  her 
ears  against  the  terrific  sounds ;  and,  endeavoring  to  collect 
her  agitated  thoughts,  and  compose  her  mind  to  meet  the  will 
of  Providence,  awaited  in  profound  stillness  the  event.  Ben- 
jamin Ashly,  who  felt  a  double  pang  in  prospect  of  the  fate 
which  seemed  to  await  himself  and  the  woman  whom  he  de- 
votedly loved,  feeling  his  affection  rising  above  its  usual  re- 
serve, approached  with  language  that  expressed  his  powerful 
interest,  and  endeavored  to  inspire  her  with  a  hope  which  she 
felt  to  be  fast  gliding  away. 

'  Leave  me,  I  entreat  you  ! '  she  faltered  out ;  '  as  you  value 
our  safety,  suffer  no  thought,  no  fear,  for  me,  to  distract  your 
attention  at  this  critical  moment.' 

Ashly  pressed  her  hand  with  silent  emotion. 

'  God  reward  you  for  all  your  kindness  to  me,  added  the 
maiden,  the  tears  quickly  coursing  each  other  down  her 
cheeks  ;  '  and  forgive  me,  Ashly,  if  I  have  at  any  time  done 
aught  to  give  you  pain.' 

Before  he  had  time  to  reply,  Peregrine  White  exclaimed, 
joyfully, 

'  Yonder  is  a  deep  cove — I  know  it  well ;  pull  away  like  a 
man,  Ashly,  and,  if  we  can  pass  these  breakers,  with  the  help 
of  Heaven  we  shall  find  safe  landing.' 

The  young  man  seized  the  oar,  which  Mr.  Grey  relin- 
quished to  him,  and  for  one  moment  every  heart  beat  high 
with  renovated  hope  ; — the  next,  Ashly  cried,  in  a  tone  of  des- 
pair, '  We  are  lost ! '  and  at  the  same  instant  a  loud  crash,  pro- 
ceeding from  the  oar  which  had  broken  in  his  hand,  struck 
like  a  knell  on  every  ear.  The  boat,  propelled  by  the  sudden 
shock,  swung  swiftly  round  ;  and,  though  Peregrine  White, 
wuh  admirable  presence  of  mind,  endeavored  to  counteract 
9* 


102  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

the  danger  by  his  skillful  management  of  the  remaining  oar, 
it  was  swept  back  by  a  tremendous  wave  rolling  towards  the 
strand,  and  left  fast  grounded  on  a  rock,  surrounded  by  foam- 
ing breakers,  which  threatened  its  speedy  destruction.  The 
violence  of  the  gale  had  passed  away,  and  the  moon,  break- 
ing through  the  clouds,  served  but  to  render  their  situation 
more  frightful,  by  exhibiting  all  its  horrors,  embittered  by 
their  recent  hopes  of  reaching  the  wished-for  shore,  that  lay 
at  a  short  distance,  now  visibly  inaccessible  by  reason  of  a 
boiling  surge.  A  deadly  chill  seemed  to  have  seized  on  every 
heart ;  but  the  rushing  of  the  waves,  which  soon  began  to  fill 
the  shallow  bark,  renewed  their  energies  with  the  additional 
consciousness  of  their  extreme  peril. 

'  Now  may  God  have  mercy  on  us  ! — there  is  no  longer 
any  hope  from  man  ! '  ejaculated  Mr.  Grey,  in  a  solemn  voice ; 
and  he  folded  his  daughter  in  his  arms  with  the  tenderness  of 
a  last  embrace. 

'  Say  not  so  ! '  said  Peregrine  White,  vainly  endeavoring 
to  speak  with  firmness;  '  we  will  not  give  up  life  without  an 
effort  to  preserve  it :  we  can  swim,  and  perhaps  — ' 

4  And  Miriam  Grey,'  interrupted  Ashly  in  great  agitati.on, 
'  think  you  that  she  can  struggle  with  these  waves  ? ' 

'  If  you  can  save  my  child,'  exclaimed  the  father,  *  with 
deep  emotion,  '  I  shall  die  contented.' 

« No !  we  will  perish  together,'  said  Miriam  ;  and  she 
twined  her  arms  more  closely  around  her  father's  neck. — 
'  Dearest  father,'  she  added,  '  it  is  but  a  brief,  though  stormy 
passage,  to  a  world  where  all  will  be  sunshine  and  happiness 
forever.' 

Scarcely  had  she  spoken,  when  the  loud  barking  of  a  dog 
was  heard  from  the  shore  ;  and,  with  a  sudden  revulsion  of 
feeling,  every  heart  bounded  with  the  hope  of  approaching 
succor.  A  sound,  as  of  some  one  plunging  into  the  water, 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  103 

instantly  followed ;  and  through  the  gloom  they  could  perceive 
a  figure,  buffeting  with  the  waves ; — another  moment  of  ex- 
pectation, and  Miriam  Grey  felt  herself  gently,  but  firmly, 
grasped,  and  a  well-remembered  voice  said  to  her, 

'  Fear  not,  but  trust  yourself  with  me,  and  you  will  soon  be 
in  safety.' 

'  Major  Atherton  !  is  that  you  ?  '  said  Peregrine  White. 

'  Yes  ;  follow  me,  and  we  shall  shortly  reach  the  strand.' 

Atherton  leaped  first  into  the  surge,  with  his  half-lifeless 
burthen,  whom  he  firmly  supported  with  one  arm,  while  with 
the  other  he  resisted  the  violence  of  the  tide,  and  at  length 
reached  the  shore,  though  nearly  exhausted  by  the  effort 
which  his  uncommon  muscular  strength  alone  had  enabled 
him  to  make.  Atherton  thought  only  of  the  lovely  being 
whom  he  had  rescued  from  an  early  grave,  and,  wrapping  his 
warm  and  dry  cloak  around  her,  he  gently  seated  her  on  a 
bank  at  some  distance  from  the  water's  edge,  and,  kneeling 
by  her  side,  supported  her  head  against  his  shoulder,  holding 
her  wet  and  chilled  hands  between  his  own.  Miriam  had 
not  fainted ;  but  conflicting  emotions,  and  acute  feeling,  for  a 
time  nearly  deprived  her  of  sensation  ;  and,  when  she  began 
to  revive,  it  was  with  difficulty  she  could  arrange  her  bewil- 
dered thoughts,  or  comprehend  her  singular  situation.  Ath- 
erton, by  the  imperfect  light  which  still  glimmered  from  the 
heavens,  watched  with  intense  interest  the  returning  anima- 
tion of  her  countenance,  and  saw  with  delight  a  faint  color 
stealing  over  her  pale  features. 

As  Miriam  revived  to  perfect  consciousness,  she  withdrew,  in 
maiden  bashfulness,  from  the  support  of  Atherton,  and,  disen- 
gaging her  hand,  which  he  felt  slightly  tremble  between  his  own, 
leaned  against  the  trunk  of  a  pine,  at  the  root  of  which  she  was 
seated.  Atherton  arose  from  his  lowly  posture,  and  respectfully 
withdrew  a  few  paces  from  her.  Miriam  also  arose,  and,  in 


104  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

an  instant,  Atherton  was  again  by  her  side.  She  looked  at 
him  with  a  countenance  full  of  gratitude,  but  felt  that  lan- 
guage was  powerless  to  express  the  deep  emotions  which  his 
disinterested  exertions  had  inspired.  In  silent  eloquence  she 
again  offered  him  the  hand  that  she  had  just  withdrawn,  and 
Atherton  pressed  it  to  his  heart  with  all  the  passion  which  his 
native  ardor  and  a  newly-awakened  enthusiasm  could  inspire. 
Miriam  bent  her  head  upon  her  bosom  :  she  could  only  artic- 
ulate, in  a  tone  of  deep  anxiety,  '  My  father ! '  and  burst  into 
a  flood  of  tears. 

'  Your  father  is  safe,  I  trust,'  said  Atherton  ;  '  I  even  now 
hear  his  voice  from  the  beach,  and  will  go  and  bring  him  to 
you  ; '  and  he  left  her,  believing  that,  at  such  a  moment,  soli- 
tude would  be  most  acceptable  to  her. 

The  party  had  all  reached  the  shore  in  safety ;  and  Ather- 
ton found  the  young  men  reclining  on  the  ground,  and  Mr. 
Grey  standing  apart,  with  folded  arms,  while  Rover  lay, 
motionless  and  panting,  at  his  feet ;  though,  the  moment  he 
saw  his  master,  the  faithful  animal  flew  to  meet  him,  wagging 
his  tail  and  whining,  to  attract  his  notice  and  caresses,  as  a 
reward  for  his  exertions.  He  had,  indeed,  been  of  essential 
service  to  Mr.  Grey,  whom,  with  the  sagacity  of  his  nature, 
he  discovered  to  be  the  most  indifferent  swimmer,  and,  by 
keeping  fast  hold  of  his  clothes,  had  greatly  assisted  him  in 
struggling  through  the  waves.  Atherton  patted  him,  with 
many  kind  expressions,  which  the  dog  seemed  perfectly  to 
understand ;  but,  at  the  sound  of  his  voice,  Mr.  Grey  started, 
and  turned  suddenly  round,  with  a  degree  of  animation  that 
strongly  contrasted  with  his  usual  calmness,  and,  grasping  his 
hand,  he  said,  with  energy, 

'  To  you,  young  man,  under  God,  I  am,  this  night,  indebted 
for  the  life  of  my  only  child  ;  accept  a  father's  blessing,  and 
may  the  God  of  mercy  reward  you.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  105 

'  You  esteem  my  services  too  highly,  sir,'  said  Atherton ; 
'  they  were  nothing  more  than  duty  and  humanity  enjoined ; 
and  I  shall  ever  bless  God  for  conducting  me  hither,  in  such 
an  hour  of  need.' 

1  Again  I  thank  you,  young  man,'  said  Mr.  Grey,  in  an  ac- 
cent of  strong  feeling ;  '  and  I  trust  we  shall  shortly  meet 
again  ;  but,  at  present,  my  heart  yearns  to  behold  my 
daughter.' 

'  I  will  conduct  you  to  her,  sir,'  returned  Atherton ;  and  he 
led  the  way  to  Miriam ;  but,  without  intruding  upon  their  in- 
terview, immediately  returned  to  the  beach. 

'  You  have  done  us  good  service  to-night,  Major  Atherton,' 
said  Peregrine  White,  rising  to  meet  him,  with  extreme  seri- 
ousness; '  and  I  hold  myself  deeply  indebted  to  you.' 

'  To  your  own  exertions,  rather  say,'  replied  Atherton;  '  you 
must  have  managed  skillfully  to  keep  afloat  so  long,  on  such 
a  sea.' 

'  Ah  !  but  when  we  struck  on  that  rock  ! '  answered  Pere- 
grine ;  'I  shall  never  think  of  it  without  shuddering;  and,  I 
am  sure,  we  should  never,  all  of  us,  have  got  away  from  it, 
but  for  your  assistance.  As  for  Mr.  Grey,  he  would  not  have 
held  out  long,  but  for  the  help  of  your  dog ;  and  I  am  sure 
none  of  us  could  have  beat  the  waves,  as  you  did,  with  Miri- 
am tugging  at  your  arm.' 

'  You  speak  without  knowledge,  Master  Peregrine,'  said 
Benjamin  Ashly,  who,  perhaps,  felt  a  twinge  of  jealousy  at 
Atherton's  success ;  '  of  this  be  assured,  that  my  arm  should 
not  have  been  slack  to  uphold  the  maiden,  amidst  the  buffet- 
ings  of  the  waves.' 

1  Your  arm  !  Master  Ashly,'  said  Peregrine,  losing  his  brief 
fit  of  gravity  ;  '  why,  you  puffed  like  a  porpoise,  man — and, 
moreover,  pulled  at  my  arm,  ever  and  anon,  to  keep  your  nos- 
trils out  of  water,  so  that,  for  my  own  safety,  I  was  obliged  to 
shake  you  off,  as  the  Apostle  Paul  did  the  viper.' 


106  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

1  It  is  your  custom  to  use  unseemly  jests,  Peregrine  White,' 
answered  the  other,  somewhat  disconcerted ;  '  but,  neverthe- 
less, I  tell  you  that  I  would  have  saved  the  damsel,  Miriam 
Grey,  or  perished  with  her.' 

'Now,  from  the  last  mentioned  act  of  kindness,  Mr.  Ashly,' 
said  Peregrine,  '  I  think  she  would  hold  herself  excused  ;  it 
is  my  mind,  that  she  has  seen  enough  of  you  in  this  world, 
without  going  out  of  it  in  your  company.  So,  after  all,  we 
are  obliged  to  my  friend,  Major  Atherton,  for  his  assistance.' 

'  Truly,  I  esteem  him  for  his  works'  sake,'  returned  Ashly, 
and  he  turned  rather  stiffly  to  Atherton  ;  '  yet  we  are  bound 
to  remember  that  we  are  but  as  "  clay  in  the  potter's  hand," 
and,  after  all  we  can  do,  it  is  "  of  the  Lord's  mercies  that  we 
are  not  consumed." ' 

'  Consumed  !  friend  Ashly,'  said  Peregrine  ;  '  say  drowned, 
washed  away,  any  thing  but  consumed :  it  is  a  most  far- 
fetched word  in  this  frozen  region — though  I  wish,  most  truly, 
that  some  of  these  trees  were  consuming,  for  us  to  warm  our- 
selves by.  I  am  shivering  with  the  cold  ; '  and,  as  he  spoke, 
his  teeth  began  to  chatter  violently. 

'  Our  quarters  are  indeed  uncomfortable,'  said  Atherton ; 
'  and,  in  our  wet  condition,  it  is  perilous  to  remain  here  long. 
We  had  better  make  some  arrangements  to  depart.' 

1  If  yonder  good  man  has  done  rejoicing  over  his  lost  sheep,' 
returned  Peregrine,  '  we  will  consult  his  pleasure,  though  we 
are  in  none  of  the  best  plight,  either  to  go  or  stay.' 

'  The  wind  has  subsided,  and  the  tide  is  going  down,'  said 
Atherton ;  '  perhaps,  we  can  get  the  boat  off,  and  return  in 
it.' 

'  It  has  got  itself  off,'  replied  Peregrine,  «  went  to  pieces,  as 
my  last  leg  came  out  of  it ;  so  that  scheme  is  up  ;  we  must 
walk  round  by  the  beach;  but  there  is  Miriam,  poor  thing! 
tired  enough,  I  suppose,  and  soaked  through  like  a  sponge, 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  107 

withal.  I  doubt,  Major,  you  did  not  bring  her  through  the 
water  dry,  though  you  darted  along  like  a  flying  fish  with  a 
bug  in  its  mouth ;  and,  I  think,  too,  you  must  have  flown  to 
this  spot,  just  in  the  time  of  need ;  for  I  left  you  far  off,  plod- 
ding alone  through  the  woods.' 

Atherton  smiled,  but  made  no  answer ;  for  they  at  that  in- 
stant reached  the  spot  occupied  by  Mr.  Grey  and  his  daugh- 
ter; the  latter  on  seeing  them  approach,  flung  back  from  her 
face  a  profusion  of  dark  brown  hair,  out  of  which  she  had 
been  wringing  the  moisture  ;  and  drew  the  cloak  more  close- 
ly around  her,  to  conceal  her  wet  and  disordered  dress.  Ro- 
ver, who  preceded  his  master,  began  to  fawn  about  her  feet. 

'  This  is  one  of  our  deliverers,  Miriam,' said  her  father  ; 
'  and  he  craves  your  notice  for  his  late  services.' 

'  Thou  art  a  brave  fellow,'  said  Miriam,  stooping  down  to 
caress  him;  'and  I  can  never,  never  forget  thy  services;  but 
to-night  I  feel  unable  to  express  my  obligations  as  I  ought  to 
any  one.'  She  stole  a  timid  glance  at  Atherton,  and  again 
bent  her  face  upon  the  short  curly  hair  of  his  dumb  favorite. 

'  What  arrangements  shall  we  make,  sir,  for  our  return 
home  ?'  said  Atherton,  addressing  Mr.  Grey ;  'If  we  can  en- 
dure cold  and  wet,  I  fear  your  daughter  will  suffer  severely 
from  this  long  exposure.' 

'  I  find  a  warm  shelter  within  your  cloak,'  said  Miriam  ; 
'  though  I  ought  not  perhaps  to  deprive  you  of  its  comforts.' 

'  It  would  be  rather  an  incumbrance  to  me,'  replied  Ather- 
ton ;  and  I  fear  you  will  hardly  endure  its  weight  in  walking"; 
it  was  made  for  a  soldier's  wear,  rough  weather  and  a  camp, 
not  to  shield  the  delicate  form  of  woman ;  though  I  am  most 
happy  if  it  can  contribute  to  your  comfort  or  protect  you  from 
danger.' 

A  short  consultation  was  then  held ;  but  it  was  presently 
broken  off  by  the  unexpected  appearance  of  a  bright  flame 


108  PEEP  AT    THE    PILGKIMS. 

rising  at  a  short  distance  from  behind  a  copse  of  evergreens, 
and  flashing  its  red  light  upon  the  still  troubled  waters. — 
While  they  were  yet  looking  and  wondering,  Peregrine  White, 
whose  absence  for  a  few  moments  they  had  scarcely  observed, 
came  running  towards  them  with  an  exulting  air. 

'  Come  and  warm  yourselves,'  said  he,  '  I  found  a  few  em- 
bers which  were  doubtless  left  by  some  charitable  fishermen 
for  our  use,  and  have  kindled  a  fire  to  cheer  us  before  we  take 
up  our  line  of  march.' 

So  saying,  he  seized  the  arm  of  Miriam  Grey,  and  hurried 
her  along  with  great  velocity  in  spite  of  the  cumbrous  cloak 
which  impeded  her  progress ;  the  rest  of  the  party  followed 
more  leisurely,  and  found  a  huge  pile  of  underwood  and  dried 
branches  lighted  up,  which  soon  rendered  them  dry  and  com- 
fortable. 

'  Here  are  some  of  the  planks  of  our  poor  boat,'  said  Pere- 
grine, '  which  the  sea  has  washed  ashore,  and  we  may  be 
thankful  that  none  of  us  are  clinging  to  them ;  but  they  make 
a  bright  flame  to  warm  us.' 

'  Master  White,'  said  Mr.  Grey,  '  methinks  your  levity  is 
ill-timed  and  unbecoming,  after  the  signal  mercy  we  have  this 
night  experienced  ;  it  behooves  us  to  show  our  thankfulness  by 
a  composed  and  cheerful  deportment,  but  not  to  indulge  in  idle 
mirth.' 

'  I  was  never  more  serious  in  my  life,  sir,  than  I  have  been 
to-night,'  returned  Peregrine  ;  '  and  that  for  an  unusual  length 
of  time.  But  now,  like  David  of  old,  I  have  washed  myself, 
and  would  like  him  eat  and  drink  with  a  hearty  good  will,  if 
there  was  any  thing  to  set  before  me.' 

'  Hark  !'  exclaimed  Atherton,  starting  up, '  if  I  mistake  not, 
I  hear  the  distant  sound  of  oars.' 

' It  is  so,' said  Ashly,   'and  yonder  is  a  boat  moving  over^ 
the  waters.' 


PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  109 

'  You  must  be  akin  to  the  owl,  Master  Ashly,  if  you  can 
see  so  far  in  the  dark,'  said  Peregrine  ;  '  but  blow  up  the  flame 
for  a  beacon,  and  I  will  crawl  up  the  Gurnet's  Nose  with  this 
brand ;  it  would  be  a  bad  joke  if  they  should  pass  us.' 

Snatching  a  flaming  stick  from  the  fire,  he  ran  quickly  up 
the  highest  eminence,  where  now  stands  the  light-house,  and 
waved  it  aloft  as  a  signal  of  distress ;  and  they  soon  saw  a 
stout  boat  with  three  men  in  it,  advancing  towards  the  cove, 
which  they  had  vainly  endeavored  to  reach  before  striking  up- 
on the  rock.  Every  one  approached  the  spot  with  more  or  less 
haste,  except  Miriam  Grey,  who  retained  her  station  on  the 
trunk  of  an  uprooted  pine,  from  whence  she  could  distinguish 
the  various  figures  in  the  broad  glare  of  the  flame  and  distinct- 
ly hear  most  of  their  conversation.  Atherton  was  the  last  to 
leave  her  ;  indeed  he  lingered  near  the  spot  under  various 
pretexts  till  Miriam  observed,  with  a  smile, — 

'  I  suspect,  Major  Atherton,  you  fear  from  my  drowsy  coun- 
tenance, that  I  shall  fall  asleep  by  this  warm  fire  ;  but  curios- 
ity will  keep  me  wakeful,  for  I  am  really  all  eagerness  to 
learn  who  has  visited  our  barren  island.' 

'  Some  one  I  hope  who  will  soon  convey  you  to  a  comfort- 
able shelter,'  said  Atherton.  '  Your  looks  do  indeed  betray 
your  fatigue  and  need  of  repose.' 

'  Nay,  but  you  pay  me  an  ill  compliment,'  returned  Mir- 
iam, playfully  ;  '  though  I  have  no  glass  to  consult,  I  had  fan- 
cied this  cloak  extremely  becoming ;  and  thought  that  bright 
flame  would  not  djeny  me  the  ruddy  tinge  it  lavishes  so  free- 
ly on  every  other  object.' 

1  Shall  I  be  more  gallant  then,'  replied  Atherton,  '  and  de- 
clare that  Miriam  Grey  can  require  no  artificial  aid  to  render 
her  lovely.' 

'  No,'  returned  Miriam,  in  some  confusion,  '  I  did  not  intend 
to  extort  flattery  from  your  lips.' 
10 


HO  PEEP    AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 

•  The  language  of  flattery  is  unknown  to  me,'  said  Atherton, 
turning  his  dark  eyes  full  upon  her  blushing  face  ;  '  I  speak 
only  what  truth  and  feeling  dictate;'  and  bowing  low  he  re- 
luctantly quitted  her. 

Miriam  Grey  looked  after  him  a  moment  with  a  thoughtful 
air;  then  leaning  back  her  head,  seemed  to  regard  attentively 
the  wild  scenery  which  surrounded  her ;  and  particularly  the 
group  collected  on  the  shore,  where  the  crimson  flame  glanc- 
ed brightly,  giving  a  peculiar  and  fantastic  expression  to  their 
features,  and  reflecting  their  dark  shadows  in  the  broken 
waves. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  Ill 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Mild  hospitality  spreads  wide  her  door, 

And,  with  the  loaded  banquet,  courts  the  stay 

Of  passing  stranger. 

COTTLE. 

'  WELL,  how  now,'  exclaimed  Captain  Standish,  springing 
from  the  boat,  '  what  sort  of  a  frolic  is  this,  good  people  ?  a 
pretty  tune  you  have  made  us  dance  to  this  stormy  night !' 

'  One  of  Beelzebub's  tunes  I  think,  Captain, '[said  Peregrine 
White  ;  '  and  here  is  Hobamock,  on  my  life,  looking  like  one 
of  his  fiddlers,  with  the  blaze  dancing  on  his  copper-colored 
visage  !' 

'Explain  boy,  explain,'  said  the  Captain,  impatiently,  'or 
hold  your  peace,  and  let  some  one  older  and  wiser  speak  for 
you.  But  what  means  this  ?  cousin  Atherton  here  too  !'  and 
he  looked  in  surprise,  as  his  kinsman  that  moment  approach- 
ed the  spot. 

'  Yes,'  resumed  Peregrine  ;  '  he  has  been  chief  actor  in  the 
tragedy.' 

'  Tragedy  ! '  interrupted  the  Captain  ;  '  I  can  well  believe, 
jackanapes,  that  you  would  keep  away  from  any  thing  tragic  ; 
so  now  you  mean  to  tease  us  with  your  nonsense.' 

'He  jumped  into  the  sea,'  pursued  Peregrine,  with  the  ut- 
most gravity,  '  seized  the  damsel  and  swam  off  with  her  like  a 
fish.' 

'  Who  ?  Miriam  Grey  ?  where  is  she,  where  is  my  rose- 
bud ?'  said  the  Captain,  quickly ;  '  I  hoped  they  had  kept  her 
on  solid  ground,  this  dark  night.' 


112  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'My  daughter,'  said  Mr.  Grey,  '  is  safe  and  well,  thanks  to 
Heaven,  and  the  courage  of  your  young  kinsman,  who  has, 
indeed,  stepped  between  us  and  death.' 

«  You  have  done  well,  Edward,'  said  the  Captain  with 
warmth  ;  '  as  I  said  before,  you  have  Standish  blood  in  your 
veins  ;  and  ne'er  a  one  of  us  has  ever  yet  turned  his  back  up- 
on danger !  But  I  must  know  all,  every  thing  that  has  hap- 
pened.' 

'The  substance  of  the  matter  is  this;'  answered  Peregrine 
"White ;  '  our  boat  was  driven  on  a  rock  by  a  violent  head 
wind,  and  stove  to  piecee ;  and  so  being  all  fairly  ducked  in 
the  sea,  we  made  use  of  our  fins  to  good  advantage,  and  with 
the  help  of  Major  Atherton  and  his  dog,  who  chanced  to  be 
near,  I  know  not  how,  we  reached  this  Melita,  safe  and  sound, 
but  unluckily  found  no  "  barbarous  people  "  to  "  shew  us 
kindness." ' 

'You  were  not  in  the  boat  then,  cousin  Atherton,'  said  the 
Captain;  'and  how  came  you  near  them  in  their  distress?" 

'I  was  wandering  on  the  beach,'  said  Atherton,  evading  a 
direct  answer;  'and  fortunately  perceived  their  danger  in 
time  to  render  some  assistance.' 

'  You  missed  the  road  I  suppose,'  returned  the  Captain, 
'  and  it  is  no  odd  mistake  for  a  stranger  ;  we  have  not  made 
broad  English  highways  through  our  woods  as  yet ;  and  you 
would  hardly  understand  our  rustic  land-marks.' 

'To  what  cause,'  asked  Atherton,  'are  we  indebted  for  the 
unexpected  pleasure  of  seeing  you  ?  ' 

'Principally  to  Mr.  Calvert,'  replied  the  Captain,  'with 
•whom  I  must  make  you  acquainted ;'  and  he  turned  to  ad- 
dress a  young  man  who  had  accompanied  him  in  the  boat  and 
was  talking  apart  with  Mr.  Grey  and  Benjamin  Ashly. 

'  Calvert !'  repeated  Atherton  thoughtfully ;  for  the  name 
sounded  familiar,  and  he  regarded  with  more  attention  the 


PEEP    AT    THE  PILGRIMS.  113 

stranger  whom  he  had  before  scarcely  remarked.  His  figure 
was  slight,  but  peculiarly  graceful;  his  complexion  sallow ; 
his  countenance  strongly  marked,  and  animated  by  intelligent 
features  and  piercing  black  eyes,  with  hair  of  the  most  jetty 
hue.  There  was  a  degree  of  singularity  in  his  appearance 
rather  attractive  than  pleasing ;  and  Atherton  as  soon  as  he 
had  heard  his  voice,  identified  him  as  a  native  Virginian  who 
had  been  sent  to  England  for  education,  and  served  some  time 
as  lieutenant  in  the  same  regiment  with  himself;  but  quitted 
the  profession  about  two  years  previous,  being  recalled  by  the 
death  of  his  father,  to  take  possession  of  a  valuable  planta- 
tion. Major  Atherton  knew  that  he  was  insinuating  and  un- 
principled, and  master  of  those  specious  talents  and  artful 
manners  which  enabled  him  to  support  any  character  that 
suited  his  inclination ;  and  he  was  therefore  not  surprised  to 
find  him  treated  with  marked  attention  even  by  the  scrupulous 
Mr.  Grey. 

As  Atherton  advanced  towards  Mr.  Calvert  he  expressed 
his  recognition  by  politely  bowing,  which  the  latter  instantly 
returned,  at  the  same  time  observing, — 

'  I  did  not  anticipate  the  pleasure  of  meeting  with  Major 
Atherton  in  this  new  world.' 

'  And  the  pleasure  of  seeing  you,  sir,  was  equally  unex- 
pected,' returned  Atherton.  '  A  voyage  from  your  distant 
Province  I  have  always  considered  nearly  as  formidable  as  one 
from  the  parent  country. 

'  We  endeavor  to  keep  up  a  good  neighborhood,'  said  Cal- 
vert ;  '  and  it  is  quite  a  deed  of  charity,  to  convey  intelligence 
occasionally  through  our  thinly  scattered  settlements;  not  to 
mention  the  powerful  suggestions  of  interest,  or  the  old-fash- 
ioned claims  of  friendship.' 

'  It  was  a  good  chance  at  any  rate  which  brought  you  here 
to-night,'  said  Peregrine  White  ;  '  for  though  1  don't  exact- 
10* 


PEEP    AT    THE 

ly  know  how,  the  Captain  says  we  are  indebted  to  you  for 
succor.' 

« Not  exactly  so ;'  returned  Mr.  Calvert.  '  I  arrived  at  Plym- 
outh about  noon  to-day ;  and  early  in  the  evening  crossed  the 
Bay  to  visit  Captain  Standish.  I  found  him  very  uneasy  about 
his  friends ;  and  as  I  had  felt  the  violence  of  the  wind  in  my 
short  passage  which  boded  no  good  to  so  light  a  skiff  as  he 
told  me  you  were  in,  I  proposed  enlisting  Hobamock  in  my 
service  and  sailing  out  in  quest  of  you.  The  Captain  insist- 
ed on  accompanying  me,  and  we  were  soon  directed  in  our 
course  by  your  blazing  watch-fire,  though  it  also  excited  con- 
siderable anxiety  respecting  your  situation.' 

'  We  have  cause  to  regret  the  trouble  and  concern  you  have 
sustained  on  our  account,'  said  Mr.  Grey,  '  though  Provi- 
dence has  doubtless  permitted  it  for  some  wise  and  benevolent 
purpose.' 

'  Peradventure  for  the  trial  of  our  faith  and  love,'  said  Ben- 
jamin Ashly. 

1 1  dare  say  there  will  some  love  come  out  of  it,'  whispered 
Peregrine  White  to  Atherton  ;  '  and  I  do  believe  after  all, 
Master  Ashly  would  rather  have  been  drowned  with  Miriam 
than  have  had  you  save  her.' 

'It  is  my  mind,'  said  Captain  Standish,  'that  we  had  better 
think  of  returning  home  ;  the  night  wanes,  and  my  little  rose- 
bud I  know  begins  to  droop  her  head.' 

So  saying  he  walked  with  hasty  steps  to  Miriam  Grey, 
and  had  exhausted  a  score  of  congratulations  before  his  more 
tardy  companions  could  overtake  him  ;  though  the  echo  of  a 
hearty  salute,  which  he  bestowed  on  her  cheek,  reached  them 
even  at  a  distance. 

1  That  went  off  like  a  cannon  ball !'  cried  Peregrine  White. 
*  I  should  think,  Captain,  you  were  charging  the  enemy  with 
a  full  round  of  grape  shot !' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  115 

'  Have  a  care,  young  man,'  said  the  Captain,  « or  I  will  give 
you  a  shot  about  the  ears,  that  will  make  you  cry  out  for  quar- 
ter, before  you  can  have  time  to  retreat.' 

Miriam  at  that  moment,  rose  to  receive  Mr.  Calvert,  who 
greeted  her  with  the  familiarity  of  long  acquaintance  ;  and 
taking  her  passive  hand,  conveyed  it  to  his  lips,  with  the  most 
easy  gallantry,  leaving  Atherton  at  a  loss,  whether  the  bright 
blush  which  mantled  her  cheeks,  was  excited  by  pleasure  or 
bashfulness  ;  and  before  he  could  solve  the  doubt  to  his  own 
satisfaction,  she  was  leaning  on  her  father's  arm,  and  direct- 
ing her  steps  to  the  boat.  The  sea  was  still  rough,  and  the 
wind  keen,  though  it  had  tacked  about  to  a  point  more  favor- 
able for  their  progress  ;  but  Miriam  could  not  avoid  shudder- 
ing as  she  entered  the  boat,  and  again  entrusted  her  safety  to 
the  keeping  of  the  elements,  from  whose  wrath  she  had  so  se- 
verely and  recently  suffered.  These  natural  emotions  were, 
however,  transient,  and  passed  away  even  before  the  bark 
had  glided  from  the  cove,  \\hich  was  still  burnished  with 
the  light  of  the  expiring  fire. 

Captain  Standish  would  allow  no  one  to  share  with  himself 
and  Hobamock  the  toil  of  rowing,  insisting  that  they  were 
fresh  and  vigorous,  and  the  others  wearied  by  exertion  ;  and 
claimed,  as  his  only  recompense,  that  they  would  proceed  no 
farther  than  his  house  that  night ;  where  he  had  ordered 
preparations  to  be  made  for  their  accommodation,  in  case  of 
need.  His  hospitality  was  cheerfully  accepted  by  all,  but  Mr. 
Calvert,  whose  affairs  obliged  him  to  return  to  Plymouth  ;  and 
it  was  agreed  that  Hobamock  should  go  with  him,  to  con- 
vey intelligence  of  their  safety,,  to  the  friends  of  those  who 
remained  behind. 

The  little  party  then  sunk  into  almost  total  silence,  each 
apparently  exhausted  inspirits;  and  the  boat  moved  slowly 
over  the  heavy  waves,  while  at  intervals,  the  Indian  burst  in- 


116  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

to  a  low,  solemn  chaunt,  in  the  harsh  and  guttural  language 
of  his  nation.  The  animated  voice  of  the  Captain,  at  length 
roused  them. 

'  Haul  up,  Hobamock,'  he  said ;  '  here  we  are  safe  and  rea- 
dy to  land.' 

As  he  spoke,  the  boat  was  made  fast  to  the  shore,  and  all, 
except  Mr.  Calvert  and  the  Indian,  leaped  from  it  with  joyful 
hearts,  and  proceeded  to  the  house,  which  stood  at  no  great 
distance. 

Mistress  Saveall,  Captain  Standish's  provident  housekeeper, 
rightly  judging,  from  her  master's  prolonged  absence,  that 
he  would  not  return  unaccompanied  by  those  whom  he  went 
out  to  succor,  had  piled  high  the  blazing  logs  in  the  ample 
fire  place,  and  marshaled  round  it  a  goodly  row  of  comforta- 
ble elbow  chairs,  ready  for  their  reception.  As  they  entered 
the  room,  she  was  with  bustling  activity,  preparing  a  liberal 
table  to  satisfy  their  farther  wants,  though  the  disorderd  ap- 
pearance of  the  guests  so  strongly  excited  her  curiosity,  and 
her  ears  were  so  fully  engrossed  by  the  conversation,  from 
which  she  hoped  to  gather  an  account  of  what  had  passed, 
that  her  task  proceeded  very  slowly,  when  a  sharp  rebuke 
from  the  Captain,  whose  commands  were  equally  peremptory 
in  his  house  and  garrison — discharged  her  from  the  room  with 
the  swiftness  of  an  arrow,  though  her  countenance  for  some 
time,  marked  her  resentment  of  the  indignity.  In  a  few  min- 
utes, a  substantial  repast  engrossed  the  attention  of  every  one  j 
and  the  culinary  skill  of  Mistress  Saveall  was  discussed,  so 
much  to  her  satisfaction, — for  the  worthy  dame  was  seldom 
out  of  hearing, — that  her  smiles  and  exertions  were  speedily 
redoubled,  and  the  late  affront  seemed  quite  forgotten. 

1  Let  Mistress  Saveall  alone  for  cooking,  to  my  liking,  at 
least,'  said  the  Captain  ;  '  she  has  a  curious  way  of  season- 
ing her  viands,  just  to  suit  the  palate,  and  if  you  have  a  mind 


PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  117 

to  take  some  lessons  of  her,  Miriam,  I'll  be  bound  they  will 
stand  you  in  good  service,  when  you  have  a  house  of  your 
own  to  look  after.' 

'  I  am  an  experienced  housewife,  already,  sir,'  replied  Mir- 
iam ;  '  and  I  believe  my  father  is  very  well  satisfied  with  my 
abilities.' 

'  With  the  help  of  your  cousin  Lois,  said  Mr.  Grey,  '  you 
have  hitherto  been  pretty  expert  in  the  duties  of  your  sex.' 

But  Mistress  Lois  will  not  be  with  you  long,  I  suppose, 're- 
turned the  Captain  ;  '  and  we  shall  see  if  the  garrison  is  well 
victualed,  and  fit  for  duty  then." 

'  I  doubt  not,'  Benjamin  Ashly  ventured  to  say,  'that Mir- 
iam Grey  is  competent,  albeit  alone  and  unassisted,  to  manage 
the  affairs  of  a  household  with  discretion. 

'And  so  you  have  a  mind, 'said  Peregrine  White,  'to  make 
her  chief  ruler  over  your  affairs  !  ha,  master  Ashly  ?'  and  he 
added  in  a  whisper,  though  loud  enough  to  be  heard  by  all  at 
table,  '  But,  the  deuce  take  me,  if  you  don't  find  it  hard  tug- 
ging to  get  the  pinnace  into  that  harbor  !' 

Mr.  Ashly  colored  with  resentment,  but  made  no  answer  ; 
aware,  from  experience  that  it  would  only  provoke  a  re- 
tort ;  nor  could  Atherton  refrain  from  smiling,  as  he  glanced 
from  him  to  Miriam  Grey,  whose  countenance  evinced  a  slight 
degree  of  vexation,  mingled  with  an  expression  of  archness, 
which  increased,  as  she  stole  a  glance  from  under  her  long 
eye  lashes  at  her  abashed  lover  ;  while  Captain  Standish  in- 
dulged in  a  long  and  loud  laugh. 

'  You  whisper  over  loud,  master  Peregrine,'  he  said  at  its 
conclusion;  '  but  we  never  mind  you  ;  so  no  offence.  And 
now  lay  your  mirth  aside,  and  help  Miriam  to  a  slice  from 
that  sirloin  by  you.' 

'I  should  prefer  a  share  of  that  dish,  which  you  seem  to 
keep  for  your  sole  benefit,  Peregrine,'  said  Miriam. 


118  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'Of  the  dish?  the  corn  that  is  in  it,  you  mean,'  replied 
Peregrine  ;  '  though,  if  you  had  spoken  a  moment  later,  I 
doubt  if  there  would  have  been  any  thing  left  but  the  platter,' 
and  as  he  heaped  her  plate  with  a  quantity  of  broken  corn, 
boiled,  and  called  Samp,  or  Nasaump,  by  the  Indians,  he 
continued, — 

'  I  dare  say,  Captain,  this  corn  is  descended  from  the  very 
ears,  you  had  the  Christian  charity  to  steal  from  the  poor  In- 
dians, when  you  first  landed  in  their  dominions.' 

'  Young  man,'  said  Mr.  Grey,  in  a  severe  tone,  '  you 
speak  lightly,  or  are  ill-informed  of  that  which  your  fathers 
have  done  in  this  wilderness.  Providence,  which  manifestly 
brought  us  out  from  our  native  land,  and  watched  over  us  in 
all  our  straits,  was  pleased  in  our  hour  of  extremity,  to  avert 
the  horrors  of  famine,  by  conducting  our  steps  to  the  subter- 
ranean granaries  of  the  idolatrous  heathen,  whereby  we  were 
supplied  with  food  to  eat,  and  seed  for  the  future  harvest.' 

'  And  left  the  owners  thereof  to  starve,'  returned  the  una- 
bashed youth.  '  That  was  a  way  of  cutting  off  the  enemy, 
without  the  trouble  of  driving  them  out  before  you,  to  come 
into  possession  of  their  goodly  inheritance.' 

'  We  did  them  no  injustice,'  resumed  Mr.  Grey  ;  '  we  found 
the  country  desolate  and  deserted  for  many  leagues  from  the 
coast,  as  we  afterwards  learned,  by  reason  of  a  great  plague, 
which  the  Lord  had  visited  upon  this  people  who  knew  him 
not.  In  the  succeeding  autumn  we  sent  an  embassy  to  As- 
pinet,  sachem  of  the  Nauset  tribe,  from  whom  we  had  taken 
the  corn,  to  repay  them  from  our  substance  that  which  they 
demanded  as  recompense  ;  and  they  having  sufficient  left  for 
their  own  use,  were  well  satisfied  to  truck  with  us.' 

'  I  suppose,'  said  Peregrine,  '  you  paid  them  for  their  grain 
with  rusty  pen-knives  and  glass  beads.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGKIMS.  119 

1  They  have  found  to  their  cost,'  replied  the  Captain,  '  that 
we  know  how  to  pay  off  our  debts,  even  with  good  round 
shot  and  cold  steel.  It  is  my  mind,  they  would  not  greet  us 
again  with  a  shower  of  arrows,  when  we  came  to  take  peace- 
able possession  of  the  land  in  God's  name  and  the  king's.' 

'  Strange  enough,'  observed  Peregrine  White,  '  that  the 
dusky  rascals  should  not  be  willing  to  give  up  their  rights  to 
us  comely  white  people  !' 

'  At  least,'  said  the  Captain,  '  they  have  learned  to  fear  us, 
and  that  with  a  very  few  lessons  ;  aye,  they  took  to  their  heels 
at  the  first  musket  shot,  only  one  fellow  dared  defend  himself, 
behind  a  tree,  and  he  soon  ran  after  the  rest,  with  half  a 
score  of  our  bullets  in  him.' 

'  Hark  !  it  is  raining  fast,'  exclaimed  Peregrine  White,  '  I 
am  right  glad  that  we  went  no  farther  to-night.' 

'  I  wish  we  had  prevailed  on  Calvert  to  remain,'  said  the 
Captain  ;  '  he  will  be  half  drowned  ere  he  get  to  Plymouth.' 

'  Why  did  you  not  persuade  him  to  stay,  Miriam  ?'  asked 
Peregrine. 

'  To  tell  the  truth,  I  scarcely  thought  of  it,'  returned  the 
damsel ;  '  and  if  I  had,  should  probably  have  had  no  interest 
with  him.' 

'  Do  you  think  so  ?'  said  Peregrine,  significantly  ;  '  with 
your  leave,  I  should  like  to  whisper  a  word  in  your  ear.' 

'  You  will  not  have  my  leave  to  be  so  uncivil,'  said  Miri- 
am, smiling ;  '  besides,  your  whispers  are  apt  to  be  very 

audible.' 

'  Another  time  will  do,  then,  returned  Peregrine,  as  they 

all  rose  from  the  table ;  and  soon  after  Captain  Standish 
caused  his  household  to  assemble  and  close  the  day  with  their 
customary  devotions,  which  on  that  evening  were  rendered 
peculiarly  impressive,  by  the  circumstances  of  danger  and 
difficulty  from  which  so  many  present  had  been  providentially 


120  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGKIMS. 

delivered.  The  psalm  selected  as  a  portion  of  the  exercise, 
chanced  to  be  one  which  Atherton  had  ofien  heard  warbled 
from  the  lips  of  his  mother;  and  it  awakened  associations 
that  thrilled  his  heart  with  sad,  yet  pleasing  recollections,  and 
compelled  him,  almost  involuntarily,  to  unite  in  the  song  of 
praise  and  thanksgiving,  which  arose  like  a  cloud  of  incense 
from  the  family  altar  of  the  Puritans.  He  caught  the  eye  of 
Miriam  Grey,  as  his  fine  and  manly  voice  mingled  with  her 
own,  and  a  false  note  from  which  she  instantly  recovered, 
showed  a  momentary  abstraction  of  mind,  that  was  however, 
perfectly  natural,  and  perhaps  shared  with  her  by  all  who 
heard  him ;  for  in  those  days  of  rigid  separation,  when  every 
sect  proclaimed  by  actions,  if  not  in  words,  '  stand  off,  for  I 
am  holier  than  thou,'  the  act  of  countenancing,  much  more 
of  assisting  each  other  in  their  different  forms  of  worship,  ar- 
gued an  unusual  degree  of  lenity  or  an  unpardonable  indif- 
ference to  prevailing  modes  and  opinions.  The  family  and 
guests  soon  after  separated  for  the  night ;  and  Mistress 
Saveall  insisted  on  attending  Miriam  Grey  to  her  chamber, 
to  administer  a  composing  draught  which  she  had  prepared, 
to  ward  off  the  effects  of  her  recent  exposure. 

The  opening  and  closing  of  doors,  and  tread  of  footsteps 
above  and  around  the  apartment  of  Major  Atherton,  was  suc- 
ceeded by  a  profound  silence  throughout  the  house,  long  be- 
fore he  could  divert  his  thoughts  from  the  events  of  the 
evening ;  and  the  occurrences  of  the  few  last  weeks,  which 
had  so  strongly  impressed  his  imagination,  as  to  banish  from 
his  pillow  the  repose  which  his  late  exertions  rendered  ne- 
cessary. The  situation  into  which  he  was  so  unexpectedly 
cast,  possessed  a  tinge  of  romance  peculiarly  calculated  to 
excite  the  enthusiasm  of  his  character,  at  a  moment,  too, 
when  he  was  gradually  recovering  from  a  deep  depression  of 
spirits,  occasioned  by  the  loss  of  a  parent  whom  he  devoted- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  121 

ly  loved,  and  the  subsequent  abandonment  of  a  profession,  on 
which  he  had,  with  well  founded  ambition,  rested  his  future 
hopes  of  glory  and  advancement. 

Till  that  period,  arms  had  been  his  passion,  and  fame  his 
mistress  ;  and  when  obliged  to  relinquish  them,  he  had 
turned  with  restless  eagerness  to  the  shores  of  the  new  world, 
as  a  scene  where  he  might  again  find  exercise  for  the  energy 
and  activity  of  his  mind.  At  a  distance,  he  had  listened 
with  interest  to  descriptions  of  its  local  advantages,  its  ma- 
jestic scenery,  and  its  rising  importance.  He  had  regarded  it 
as  an  asylum  for  the  persecuted,  and  the  future  home  of  a 
free  and  virtuous  people.  On  a  near  approach,  he  found  that 
description  had  fallen  short  of  reality  ;  and  fancy  but  faintly 
portrayed  the  magnificence  of  its  untamed  landscapes.  He 
viewed  with  astonishment  and  admiration,  its  gigantic  moun- 
tains, its  lofty  hills  and  fruitful  valleys  ;  its  boundless  forests, 
its  dashing  torrents,  and  broad  and  fertilizing  rivers.  Where 
the  wildness  of  nature  had  yielded  to  the  hand  of  cultivation, 
villages  were  arising,  and  the  soil  teemed  with  all  the  rich 
and  varied  bounties  which  could  spring  up  to  reward  the  la- 
bors of  the  husbandman.  He  regarded  too,  the  men  whom 
the  prejudiced  and  worldly  minded  stigmatized  as  bigots,  and 
seditious  enthusiasts ;  they  were  men  who  had  forsaken 
power,  and  riches,  and  distinction,  for  the  '  gospel's  sake  ;' — 
who  with  holy  lives  and  blameless  conversation,  shared  with 
each  other  the  tender  charities  of  life,  and  the  sweetness  of 
social  and  domestic  intercourse  ;  while  many  whom  opportu- 
nity favored,  had  drunk  deeply  at  the  fountain  of  intellectual 
knowledge.  He  admired  the  wisdom  of  their  political  com- 
pact, which,  while  it  rendered  them  subservient  to  the  laws 
of  England,  provided  for  the  internal  peace  and  prosperity  of 
the  colony,  the  administration  of  justice,  and  the  promotion  of 
order,  piety  and  learning.  If  their  doctrines  were  censured 
11 


122  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

as  intolerant,  and  their  morals  as  too  rigid,  it  was  an  extreme 
produced  by  the  spirit  of  the  times,  and  which  might 
naturally  appear  essential  to  those  who  had  separated  them- 
selves from  a  church,  which,  under  the  influence  of  a  disso- 
lute court  and  vindictive  prelacy,  openly  countenanced  vice, 
and  secretly  connived  at  bribery  and  corruption. 

Yet  there  were  softer  thoughts,  and  fairer  images  imprinted 
on  the  mind  of  Atherton.  The  lovely  figure  of  Miriam 
Grey,  her  playful  sweetness,  the  brilliant  beauty  of  her  coun- 
tenance, its  spirit  and  intelligence,  the  graceful  timidity  and 
unaffected  artlessness  of  her  manners,  were  all  registered  in 
his  memory,  and  delineated  on  his  heart.  In  his  native  land, 
he  had  seen  as  fair,  perhaps  fairer  maidens  :  the  gay,  the 
beautiful,  and  high-born  ;  the  smiling  idol  of  a  courtly  throng, 
and  the  rustic  belle,  whose  charms  relieved  the  dullness  of 
country  quarters,  had  alternately  claimed  from  him  the  brief 
homage  of  a  compliment,  or  the  passing  tribute  of  a  sigh; 
but  never  till  now,  had  he  felt  the  sorcery  of  a  woman's  eye, 
or  the  resistless  spell  which  sports  in  her  smile  and  lurks 
beneath  her  blushes.  Romance  lent  her  aid  to  heighten  the 
enchantment,  and  involved  him  in  her  shadowy  but  delightful 
mazes.  A  lover  of  music,  and  himself  well  skilled  in  the 
harmony  of  sweet  sounds,  from  the  moment  he  had  listened 
to  the  voice  of  Miriam,  on  the  evening  of  his  arrival,  his 
curiosity  had  been  awakened,  and  the  transient  glimpse  he 
soon  obtained  of  her,  deepened  that  curiosity  to  a  pow- 
erful interest.  It  was  a  vision,  of  which  he  had  never 
dreamed,  and  least  of  all,  expected  to  realize,  amidst  the  wild 
scenery  of  New  England.  Every  succeeding  interviw  in- 
creased his  interest,  and  the  late  scene,  which  seemed  so 
closely  to  connect  them,  kindled  the  latent  spark  into  enthu- 
siasm. As  yet,  however,  it  had  not  become  a  sentiment,  but 
a  pleasing  fancy,  which  future  circumstances  were  to  enliven 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  123 

or  destroy  ;  but  it  was  already  sufficiently  powerful  to  engross 
his  midnight  thoughts,  and  the  rain  had  ceased  to  beat  against 
the  casements,  and  the  moon  shone  brightly  on  his  uncur- 
tained bed,  long  before  his  eyelids  were  closed  in  slumber. 

Major  Atherton  slept  long  enough  on  the  following  morn- 
ing, to  make  amends  for  the  restlessness  of  the  night ;  and 
Captain  Standish  and  his  guests  had  been  some  time  assem- 
bled, before  he  joined  them  in  the  breakfast  room.  He  was 
apprised  of  his  remissness,  as  he  was  descending  the  stairs,  by 
the  impatient  voice  of  Mistress  Saveall  rising  from  the 
kitchen,  who  declared  to  David,  that  '  the  venison  steak 
were  well  nigh  done  to  death,  and  all  because  the  Captain 
would  wait  for  the  young  Major  to  get  up.'  'And  lam 
sure  '  responded  David,  who  was  pounding  corn  with  all  his 
might  between  two  stones,  '  if  Master  Ashly  should  be  for 
making  one  of  his  long  prayers,  the  chocolate  will  be  clear 
boiled  away.  ' 

Major  Atherton,  thus  warned  of  his  tardiness,  expected  to 
be  greeted  with  raillery  by  his  kinsman,  but  the  Captain 
was  struck  with  the  unusual  langor  of  his  countenance,  and 
as  he  entered  the  parlor  exclaimed, — 

'  Well,  cousin  Atherton,  I  thought  something  must  ail  you, 
to  keep  you  in  bed  so  long ;  and  here  you  are,  looking  as 
pale  as  a  Dutch  ghost.' 

'  I  know  not  how  I  could  oversleep  myself  so  strangely,  on 
so  bright  a  morning  as  this,'  returned  Atherton  ;  '  you  have  a 
capricious  climate,  Captain,  and  storms  and  sunshine  succeed 
each  other  so  rapidly,  that  we  have  scarcely  time  to  guard 
against  the  one,  or  enjoy  the  other.  Last  evening,  I  scarcely 
expected  to  see  blue  sky  again  for  a  week,  at  least.' 

'  Our  southerly  gales,'  said  the  Captain,  '  are  short  and 
violent ;  and  had  you  asked  me,  I  could  have  told  you,  last 
night  that  it  would  be  fair  weather  to-day.  But  that  is 


124  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

nothing  to  the  purpose  ;  so  tell  me  truly  now,  if  that  con- 
founded game  of  swimming  has  not  washed  away  your  color, 
and  given  you  a  cold.' 

'  I  am  perfectly  well,'  replied  Atherton  ;  '  and  I  believe  my 
color  is  not  on  the  surface,  to  be  rubbed  off  so  easily.' 

'  As  for  that,'  said  the  Captain,  '  my  little  rose-bud  here, 
has  generally  as  bright  a  tinge  as  most  damsels,  on  her 
cheek  ;  but  just  look  at  her  now,  she  is  as  wan  and  drooping 
as  a  lily.' 

Atherton  was  looking  at  her,  and  with  an  anxious  expres- 
sion, which,  as  his  eyes  encountered  those  of  Miriam  Grey, 
suffused  her  face  with  the  deepest  blush,  which  again  gradu- 
ally faded  into  its  former  paleness. 

'  How  now  ?'  said  the  Captain,  regarding  her  with  atten- 
tion;  'I  believe  the  girl  is  feverish,  such  a  flush,  and  all  for 
nothing ;  Mistress  Saveall  must  steep  you  some  more  of  her 
herbs,  and  mess  you  up,  in  her  way.' 

'  No,  no,'  said  Miriam,  laughing,  « I  only  wanted  to  contra- 
dict you,  Captain,  and  not  daring  to  do  it  with  my  lips, 
conjured  up  that  color,  which  was  a  modest  way  of  saying 
you  are  mistaken,  sir.' 

'  And  a  very  pretty  way,  truly,'  returned  the  Captain,  '  and 
if  I  were  a  few  years  younger,  Miriam,  there  is  no  knowing 
what  effect  it  would  have  upon  my  heart.' 

'  Now  I  pray  you,  Captain,'  said  Miriam,  blushing  more 
deeply  than  before,  probably  from  observing  the  gaze  of  Ath- 
erton, who  was  admiring  the  bright  glow — '  do  not  give  me 
the  trouble  of  trying  it  again  ;  to  tell  you  the  truth,  I  have  a 
keen  appetite  this  morning,  and  have  been  wishing  for  break- 
fast, for  the  last  half  hour  or  two.' 

'  I  am  sorry  to  have  caused  so  much  delay  by  my  indo- 
lence,' said  Atherton. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  125 

'Nay,'  said  Miriam,  gaily,  'but  you  must  take  more 
leisure,  if  you  mean  to  apologise,  Major  Atherton ;  there  is 
Master  Peregrine,  looking  very  hungry  ;  and  my  father,  I 
know,  is  in  haste  to  return  home.' 

Mr.  Grey  had  expressed  a  wish  to  return,  as  early  as  pos- 
sible to  Plymouth.  Captain  Standish,  therefore  ordered  a 
boat  to  be  prepared  ;  and  soon  after  breakfast,  they  were  all 
in  readiness  to  depart.  Atherton  felt  a  strong  desire  to  go 
with  them,  which  he  was  hesitating  to  make  known,  when 
the  Captain  said, — 

'  I  had  thoughts  of  taking  a  trip  with  you,  Mr.  Grey,  if  it 
please  you  to  accept  my  company,  and  cousin  Atherton's;  but 
on  second  thoughts,  he  had  enough  of  the  water,  last  night, 
and  had  better  rest  awhile.' 

'  Indeed,  sir,'  replied  Atherton,  '  I  am  perfectly  well ;  and 
if  not,  this  elastic  air  might  restore  health  to  an  invalid.' 

'We  have  many  such  days  in  autumn,'  said  the  Captain  ; 
'  and  if  Hobamock  were  here,  I  think  he  would  predict  an  In- 
dian summer  to  us,  after  this  storm  ;  so  we  will  see  you  soon, 
Mr.  Grey,  and  I  will  teach  Major  Atherton  to  harvest  corn, 
this  morning.' 

Atherton  tried  not  to  look  vexed,  though  he  really  felt  so  ; 
and  Mr.  Grey,  with  much  cordiality,  expressed  a  hope  that 
he  should  see  him  as  soon,  and  as  often  as  he  could  find  it 
convenient ;  a  hope  which  Atherton  fancied  was  confirmed 
by  Miriam's  eyes,  and  to  which  he  yielded  a  ready  assent. 

'  All's  ready,'  said  Peregrine  White  ;  '  so  good-bye  to  you 
all ;  and  now  away,  Master  Ashly ;  but  take  care  that  you  do 
not  break  the  oar,  and  set  us  all  adrift  again  :'  and,  looking 
back,  he  called  out,  '  I  pray  you,  Captain,  to  look  sharp  at 
your  corn,  and  not  teach  Major  Atherton  to  bind  it  into 
sheaves,  like  wheat,  as  you  did  me  once,  I  can  tell  you,  the 
Governor  had  some  trouble  to  unlearn  me.' 
11* 


PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 


'  It  would  be  well,  if  he  had  no  other  trouble  with  you,' 
said  the  Captain.  'Master  Peregrine,'  he  added,  to  Ather- 
ton,  'is  like  a  king's  jester,  privileged  to  say  aught  that 
pleases  him,  without  giving  offence;  and  if  he  is  rude  at 
times,  we  don't  mind  him  ;  for  the  lad  means  well  and  is  kind 
at  heart,  though  he  has  come  near  being  spoiled  by  indul- 
gence. His  father  died  soon  after  his  birth,  and  I  suppose  the 
Governor  does  not  care  to  meddle  much  with  his  mother's 
management.' 

'  It  is  natural,  that  he  should  not,'  said  Atherton,  who 
answered  almost  mechanically  ;  for  his  eyes  were  following 
the  boat,  as  it  shot  rapidly  across  the  bay  ;  and  he  was,  per- 
haps, admiring  the  deep  blue  of  the  heavens,  the  glassy 
smoothness  of  the  waters,  dimpled  by  the  dipping  oars, 
and  slightly  furrowed  by  the  track  of  the  light  vessel,  which 
soon  dwindled  to  a  fairy  skiff.  The  figure  of  Miriam  Grey 
was  no  longer  distinguishable,  and  Atherton,  whistling  care- 
lessly to  his  dog,  returned  to  the  house. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  127 


CHAPTER    X. 

What  is  fanatic  frenzy,  scorn'd  so  much, 
And  dreaded  more  than  a  contagious  touch  ? 
I  grant  it  dang'rous,  and  approve  your  fear, 
That  fire  is  catching,  if  you  draw  too  near ; 
But  sage  observers  oft  mistake  the  flame, 
And  give  true  piety  that  odious  name. 

COWPER. 

As  Captain  Standish  was  reviewing  the  labor  of  his  fields 
after  dinner  with  Major  Atherton,  they  observed  Hobamock 
approaching  towards  them,  on  the  road  from  Plymouth. 

'  There  comes  my  trusty  messenger,'  said  the  Captain  ;  '  I 
wonder  what  brings  him  back  here  to-day.' 

'He  seems  swift-footed,'  returned  Atherton;  'and  you 
must  find  him  very  serviceable  in  your  colony.' 

'  Yes,' replied  the  Captain,  'and  he  is  shrewd  and  faithful, 
and  moreover  exceedingly  brave,  being  what  the  Indians  call 
a  Paniese,  which  means  a  chief  of  great  courage  who,  they 
think,  has  had  intercourse  with  the  devil,  to  render  him  in- 
vincible.' 

'  Has  he  resided  long  with  you  ?  '  asked  Atherton. 

'He  came  to  us,  within  a  year  after  we  landed  and  we  have 
since  employed  him  in  our  service.  He  has  been  our  inter- 
preter and  guide,  amongst  the  savage  tribes,  and  a  good  sol- 
dier too,  after  his  manner,  in  all  our  engagements.  But  he 
begins  to  lose  the  agility  of  youth.  I  doubt  civilization  does 
not  agree  with  him.' 

Hobamock,  at  that  moment,  stood  before  them  bowing  with 
profound  respect. 


128  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

«  Well  Hobamock,  what  news  do  you  bring  us  ? '  said  the 
Captain. 

'  No  news,  Captain  ;  come  to  walk,  and  see  if  you  want 
me  for  do  any  thing.' 

'  No,  nothing ; '  returned  the  Captain  ;  '  but  stop ;  have  any 
vessels  come  into  Plymouth,  this  day  or  two  ?  ' 

'Yes,  one  last  night,  from  the  Massachusetts;  and  young 
Master  Weldon,  come  in  him.' 

'  Master  Weldon,  ha  !  well  we  must  brush  up  for  a  wed- 
ding, Edward  ;  that  is  Lois  Grey's  lover.  You  may  go  into 
the  house,  Hobamock,  and  tell  Mistress  Saveall  to  give  you 
something  to  eat.' 

The  Indian  obeyed  with  alacrity. 

'  I  think,'  continued  the  Captain,  '  if  you  please,  cousin 
Atherton,  we  will  go  to  the  old  town,  this  afternoon  ;  I  should 
like  to  see  Henry  Weldon,  and  it  is  long  since  we  were  at  the 
Governor's.' 

'  I  will  go  with  pleasure  ;  '  said  Atherton  ;  '  do  you  try  the 
land  or  water  ?  ' 

'  Land,  I  think,'  replied  the  Captain,'  I  have  two  horses, 
and  you  may  take  your  choice  of  them.' 

In  a  short  time  they  were  both  mounted,  and  on  the  way  to 
Plymouth  ;  and  quickly  clearing  the  intermediate  woods,  the 
village  and  harbor  lay  in  full  prospect  before  them. 

'  There  is  the  Massachusetts'  shallop,"  said  the  Captain  ; 
'  she  has  been  here  before,  on  trading  voyages,  and  that  stout 
pinnace,  at  anchor  near  her,  must  be  the  Virginian.  I  will 
warrant,  there  is  a  goodly  hoard  of  tobacco  stowed  away  in 
her.' 

'  Mr.  Calvert  seems  well  known  to  you,'  said  Atherton ; 
'  has  he  made  frequent  voyages  to  New-England  ? ' 

'  Only  one,  about  a  year  since  ;  but  he  cultivates  a  large 
plantation,  and  has  often  sent  vessels  here,  and  to  the  Massa- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  129 

chusetts.  He  has  ever  dealt  honorably  with  us,  and  conducted 
himself  discreetly,  so  as  to  gain  the  good  will  of  the  people  ; 
but  you  probably  know  more  of  him  than  we  do  ? ' 

'  I  saw  him  seldom,  except  on  duty,  even  when  we  served 
together  ; '  said  Atherton.  But  here  are  two  roads,  which  of 
them  shall  we  take  ?  ' 

'  You  can  go  on  to  Mr.  Grey's,  if  you  like,'  returned  the 
Captain,  and  I  will  shortly  join  you  there  ;  I  have  some  busi- 
ness that  leads  me  first  in  the  opposite  direction.' 

They  accordingly  separated,  and  a  few  moments  brought 
Major  Atherton  to  the  residence  of  Mr.  Grey.  He  alighted 
and  fastening  his  horse  to  the  wooden  paling,  knocked  at  the 
outer  door.  No  one  appeared,  and  after  repeating  the  knock 
several  times,  without  being  heard,  he  ventured  to  lift  the 
latch,  and  enter  a  small  apartment,  which  seemed  to  be  the 
usual  sitting  room.  It  was  extremely  neat,  and  conveniently 
furnished  but  unoccupied;  and  Atherton,  while  waiting  for 
some  person  to  answer  his  summons,  had  leisure  to  examine 
every  object  which  it  contained.  True,  there  was  nothing  re- 
markable in  it;  the  heavy  chairs,  the  wooden-framed  looking- 
glass,  and  carved  oaken  table,  though  brightly  polished  by 
time  and  industry,  might  be  seen  in  any  other  place  ;  there 
was  a  beaufet  too,  carefully  decorated  with  china  and  a  few 
vessels  of  massive  plate  ;  and  over  the  fire-place  hung  a  piece 
of  embroidery,  representing  the  garden  of  Paradise,  in  all  its 
original  splendor.  It  was  crowded  with  a  gay  assortment  of 
colors,  wrought  into  flowers  and  birds,  and  '  all  manner  of 
four-footed  beasts,' — and  some  with  no  feet  at  all, — with  our 
first  parents  standing  under  the  'tree  of  good  and  evil,'  which 
spread  forth  its  goodly  branches,  loaded  with  a  kind  of  non- 
descript fruit,  of  a  tempting  red  and  yellow.  Around  the  trunk, 
a  serpent  of  prodigious  dimensions  had  awfully  twined  him- 
self, stretching  out  his  head  to  gaze  at  the  guilty  pair,  with 
eyes  that  resembled  bullets. 


130  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

This  ingenious  specimen  of  female  industry  bore  the  date  of 
1616 ;  it  could  not,  therefore,  be  the  production  of  Miriam's 
needle  ;  and  Atherton,  in  turning  from  it  was  attracted  by  a 
small  Indian  basket  of  curious  workmanship.  Some  unfin- 
ished work  lay  in  it,  with  several  implements  of  housewifery, 
as  if  recently  left,  and  probably  he  thought  by  Miriam  her- 
self. He  had  taken  up,  and  was  examining  with  the  eye  of  a 
connoisseur,  a  pocket-book  of  famous  tent-stitch,  when  the 
door  opened,  and  not  Miriam — but  a  tidy  looking  house-maid 
entered.  She  started  with  some  surprise  on  seeing  a  stranger, 
and  so  employed,  and  Atherton  hastily  replacing  the  basket 
and  its  contents,  inquired  for  Mr.  Grey.  The  family  were  all 
from  home,  and  it  was  uncertain  when  they  would  return. 

Atherton  left  the  house  in  disappointment ;  and  remounting 
his  horse,  struck  into  a  by-way  which  led  in  a  circuitous 
route  to  the  Governor's.  He  was  presently  surprised  to  hear 
the  quick  trampling,  as  of  several  horses  approaching  him,  in 
that  unfrequented  road ;  and  on  turning  a  sudden  angle,  he 
came  in  full  view  of  two  damsels  mounted  on  a  spirited  pal- 
frey ;  nor  did  it  require  a  second  glance,  to  convince  him,  that 
the  light  maiden  who  rode  with  so  much  grace,  and  man- 
aged her  steed  with  such  ease  and  dexterity,  was  Miriam 
Grey;  and,  on  a  pillion  behind  her  was  her  cousin  Lois. 
Mr.  Calvert,  apparently  in  high  spirits,  followed  close  in  the 
rear,  for  there  was  not  room  for  two  abreast ;  and  Atherton 
caught  the  gay  tones  of  his  voice  as  Miriam  at  the  moment, 
looked  back  to  speak  with  him. 

Major  Atherton  drew  up  on  one  side  to  let  them  pass ;  and 
Miriam,  as  soon  as  she  saw  him,  checked  her  horse  and 
looked,  as  if  hesitating  whether  to  speak  or  wait  for  him  to 
address  her.  But,  Atherton,  from  one  of  those  unaccountable 
sensations,  peculiar  to  lovers,  particularly  in  the  incipient 
stages  of  their  disease,  contented  himself  with  a  passing  sa- 
lute, and  continued  his  course  in  silence. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  131 

Miriam  seemed  to  regard  him  with  surprise  and  perplexity ; 
she  however  courteously  returned  his  salutation  ;  but  as  they 
passed  each  other,  with  some  difficulty,  in  the  narrow  defile, 
her  slender  foot  caught  in  the  stirrup  of  his  saddle.  He  in- 
stantly stopped,  but  she  extricated  herself  before  he  had  time 
to  assist  her,  or  even  speak  as  he  then  felt  strongly  inclined  ; 
and  slightly  touching  the  curved  neck  of  her  steed,  she  set  off 
with  a  speed  that  almost  alarmed  Atherton  for  her  safety. — 
He  bit  his  lip  with  vexation,  and  vainly  deprecated  the  per- 
verse feeling  which  had  suffered  him  to  pass  her  in  silence. 
He  looked  back  again  ;  she  maintained  her  seat  with  the  ut- 
most firmness,  and  in  another  moment  had  passed  beyond  his 
sight.  Atherton  sunk  into  a  deep  reverie  ;  and  the  animal 
he  rode,  which  had  been  used  to  a  plough,  and  thereby  lost 
the  exuberance  of  his  spirits,  and  become  fond  of  his  ease, 
and  encouraged  by  the  lenity  of  his  rider  and  attracted  by  a 
spot  of  fresh  grass,  endeavored,  by  a  vigorous  shake,  to  free 
himself  from  all  incumbrances,  to  enjoy  the  tempting  morsel 
at  his  leisure.  But  Atherton,  completely  aroused  by  the  ex- 
ertion, plunged  his  spurs  into  the  sides  of  the  reluctant  beast, 
and  urged  him  to  a  gallop  which  soon  brought  him  to  Mr. 
Winslow's  gate. 

Peregrine  White  saw  him  approaching  from  a  window,  and 
hastened  to  the  door  to  welcome  him.  , 

'  I  am  heartily  glad  to  see  you,  Major,'  said  he,  '  though 
methinks  you  might  as  well  have  come  with  us  in  the  morn- 
ing, as  to  burthen  this  miserable  old  sheep,  which  looks  as  if 
it  was  going  to  baa,  at  this  very  moment.  The  Captain  has 
a  high  mettled  steed,  that  he  might  have  lent  you,  instead  of 
this  shaggy  thing.' 

'  I  had  my  choice  of  the  two,'  returned  Atherton  ;  '  but 
as  he  was  coming  with  me,  I  left  the  best  for  his  own  use.' 


132  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'  That  was  vastly  civil  of  you,'  said  Peregrine  ;  '  but  if  you 
had  been  with  us,  I  would  have  treated  you  with  some  rare 
sport.' 

4  You  are  very  liberal  with  such  entertainment,'  said  Ath- 
erton  ;  '  how  was  it  served  up  this  morning  ?  ' 

'  Oh,  it  was  Benjamin  Ashly's  own  contrivance.  You  must 
know,  that  he  was  the  last  to  leave  the  boat,  and  twisting 
about  in  his  clumsy  fashion,  he  tipped  it  on  one  side,  and 
went,  souse  into  the  water  to  his  neck.  I  wish  you  could 
have  seen  him  !  there  he  stood,  with  his  jaws  distended  like 
a  crocodile's,  and  croaking  for  all  the  world,  like  a  frog.' 

'  I  suppose  you  had  no  hand  in  the  accident  ? '  said  Ath- 
erton. 

'No  hand  in  it,  on  my  honor  ;  though  I  can't  say  but  my 
foot  might  possibly  have  touched  the  keel ;  it  was  purely  ac- 
cidental, however.' 

'  Oh,  of  course,  we  could  not  suppose  you  mischievous; 
but  I  hope  you  helped  him  out  of  the  difficulty.' 

'  He  crawled  out  like  a  great  mud  turtle,'  said  Peregrine, 
'  and  how  he  got  home  I  know  not ;  for  I  came  off  with  the 
pretty  Miriam,  who  could  not,  for  her  life  help  laughing, 
though  her  father  tried  to  frown  us  both  into  long  faces  to 
suit  the  cut  of  the  young  deacon's  woful  visage.' 

'  I  should  think  Mr.  Ashly  would  keep  aloof  from  you,' 
said  Atherton  ;  '  you  are  apt  to  come  into  rude  contact  with 
him.  But  we  had  better  go  into  the  house  now,  if  you  are 
ready.' 

'  Whenever  you  please  ;  but  I  forgot  to  tell  you  there  is 
some  half  dozen  of  good  people  in  there,  who  seem  very  well 
satisfied  with  themselves,  but  in  my  opinion  are  terribly 
stupid.' 

'  Perhaps  I  shall  intrude  on  them,'  said  Atherton. 

'  Oh  no,  you  will  not ;  and  it  may  be  you  will  enliven 
them  a  little ;  I  am  sure  I  have  been  half  asleep  for  an  hour 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  133 

past,  and  once  do  verily  believe  my  head  dropped  on  mistress 
Rebecca  Spindle's  shoulder ;  the  last  thing  in  the  world  I 
should  choose  for  a  pillow.' 

'  Let  us  go  then,'  said  Atherton,  '  they  will  wonder  that  we 
stay  so  long  on  the  threshold.' 

'  No  matter,'  returned  the  careless  youth;  'they  have  been 
talking  about  you  all  the  afternoon ;  and  it  will  give  them 
time  to  wind  off  with  a  good  grace.' 

So  saying,  he  entered  and  threw  open  the  parlor  door,  at 
which  Atherton  was  met  by  the  Governor,  with  his  habitual 
courtesy,  and  introduced  to  his  guests.  Mrs.  Winslow  also 
rose  with  matronly  dignity  to  receive  him ;  and  the  usual 
civilities  being  ended  on  all  sides,  she  returned  to  her  station 
with  her  female  friend?,  who  were  seated  in  a  formal  row  on 
one  side  of  the  apartment,  and  the  conversation  was  resumed 
which  had  been  suspended  on  the  entrance  of  Major  Ath- 
erton. 

The  subject  in  discussion  was  certain  heretical  opinions, 
that  were  said  to  be  gaining  ground  in  the  Massachusetts 
Bay;  and,  concerning  which,  reports,  probably  exaggerated, 
had  been  received  by  the  late  arrival  from  that  place.  These 
heresies  were  considered  by  all  as  dreadful,  and  till  of  late, 
unheard  of  enormities,  though  their  precise  .nature  seemed  to 
be  imperfectly  understood,  and  variously  interpreted.  That 
a  woman  should  become  the  promulgator  of  such  doctrines, 
was  evidently  no  slight  addition  to  the  crime. 

'  To  think,'  as  Mistress  Spindle,  judiciously  remarked, 
'that  a  frail  woman  should  take  it  on  herself  to  set  forth  new, 
and  strange  doctrines  !  it  was  an  awful  thing  ! ' 

'  But,'  said  Peregrine    White,  who  could   seldom  keep  si- 
lence, '  all  women  are  not  so  frail,  Mistress  Spindle,  as  your 
experience  may  lead  you  to  believe  ;  and  this  Mrs.  Hutchin- 
son,  we  are  told,  has  the  sense  and  spirit  of  a  lion.' 
12 


134  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'  The  spirit  of  a  devil ! '  exclaimed  a  little  austere  looking 
man ;  '  and  when  our  youth  rise  up  to  defend  such  in  their 
apostacy,  well  may  we  tremble  for  the  ark,  which  we  have 
builded  here.' 

'  My  son  did  not  mean  to  defend  her  principles,'  said  Mrs. 
Winslow  ;  '  but  with  his  usual  haste,  has  spoken  unadvisedly 
with  his  lips.' 

'  No,  mother,  I  did  not  speak,' — Peregrine  began  ;  but  the 
Governor,  in  a  mild,  though  decisive  tone,  interposed. 

'We  will  waive  that  discussion,  at  present,  Peregrine,  and, 
if  it  please  you,  attend  to  what  Mr.  Bradford  hath  to  say.' 

Peregrine  yielded,  with  a  very  good  grace  :  and  Mr.  Brad- 
ford related  the  substance  of  certain  information  he  had  re- 
ceived from  Mr.  Weldon,  respecting  the  ecclesiastical  affairs 
of  their  Massachusetts'  brethren  ;  and  concluded  with  some 
judicious  remarks,  which  strikingly  exhibited  the  candor  and 
liberality  of  his  mind. 

Mr.  Bradford  had  been  eminently  useful  in  the  settlement 
and  advancement  of  the  Plymouth  colony  ;  he  was  still  in  the 
meridian  of  life  ;  his  countenance  and  deportment  were  pre- 
possessing, dignified,  and  grave,  without  austerity,  and 
strongly  expressive  of  that  good  sense  and  benevolence,  solid 
judgment  and  fervent  piety,  which  had  early  won  the  entire  con- 
fidence and  affection  of  the  people  with  whom  he  was  associated. 
Their  unanimous  suffrages  had  continued  him  in  the  executive 
chair  from  the  death  of  the  lamented  Carver,  through  sixteen 
successive  years  ;  with  the  exception  of  one  only,  when  at  his 
own  urgent  request,  he  was  permitted  to  resign  it  to  Mr. 
"Winslow.  It  cannot  be  supposed  that  the  office  of  chief  mag- 
istrate was  considered  otherwise  than  as  a  post  of  honor,  even 
in  that  early  period  of  the  country ;  but  so  far  from  being  an 
object  of  contention,  or  'root  of  bitterness,'  the  humility  and 
disinterestedness  of  the  primitive  settlers  induced  them  rather 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  135 

to  decline  the  distinction,  and  prefer  others  before  themselves ; 
insomuch,  that  an  act  of  the  general  court  was  passed,  impos- 
ing a  fine  of  twenty  pounds  on  any  one  who  should  refuse 
the  office  of  Governor,  unless  chosen  two  years  successively ; 
and  a  penalty  of  ten  pounds  for  rejecting  an  inferior  office. 
Could  the  venerable  fathers  of  New-England  look  forth  in 
these  degenerate  times,  how  would  they  start  back  with 
horror  and  amazement,  at  beholding  the  electioneering  col- 
umns of  our  modern  newspapers  ! 

'  I  am  well-pleased,'  said  the  Governor,  when  Mr.  Bradford 
had  concluded,  '  that  young  Weldon  is  so  prosperous  in  his 
worldly  estate  ;  he  seems  modest  and  well  disposed  ;  and  is, 
moreover,  about  to  bear  away  from  us  one  of  our  choicest 
vines.' 

'  I  think,'  returned  the  little  man,  '  we  have  no  authority  to 
speak  with  confidence  of  him,  seeing  he  is  the  blossom  of  a 
strange  branch,  and  but  a  stranger  and  sojourner  amongst  us.' 

'We  are  bound,  in  the  judgment  of  charity,  to  think  well 
of  him,  Mr.  Scruple,'  replied  Mrs.  Winslow;  'for  he  has 
ever  borne  himself  discreetly  with  us,  and  the  church  and  peo- 
ple with  whom  he  dwells,  bear  testimony  to  the  worthiness  of 
his  character.' 

'  And  yet,'  said  Mistress  Spindle,  '  to  think  that  Lois  Grey 
should  be  tempted  by  the  love  of  man,  to  turn  from  our 
"  goodly  tents  of  Kedar,"  and  wander  in  the  wilderness, 
where  the  "dews  of  the  sanctuary,"  cannot  abide.' 

'  Our  God  is  not  confined  to  any  spot,  but  is  found  in  every 
place,  by  those  who  seek  him  aright,'  replied  Mr.  Bradford ; 
'  and  even  as  Moses  and  Aaron  led  the  children  of  Israel 
through  the  desert  of  Sinai,  so  have  those  godly  ministers 
of  the  word,  Mr.  Hooker  and  Mr.  Stone,  led  their  congrega- 
tion through  a  trackless  wilderness,  more  than  an  hundred 
miles  from  the  spot  which  their  hands  had  planted.' 


136  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'  What,'  asked  Atherton,  « could  induce  them  to  remove  so 
far  from  their  first  settlement,  and,  it  must  be,  into  the  midst 
of  savages  ? ' 

'  They  went  forth  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,'  said  Mr.  Brad- 
ford, '  and  trusted  in  his  mercy  for  protection.  If  you  have 
not  visited  our  sister  colony  of  Massachusetts,  Major  Ather- 
ton, you  can  scarcely  form  an  idea  of  its  rapid  growth  and 
prosperity.  The  foundations  of  many  flourishing  towns  are 
laid,  even  to  the  extremist  limits  of  the  patent ;  and  the  in- 
crease of  cattle,  with  the  great  numbers  who  annually  arrive 
from  England,  has  caused  many  to  remove  to  distant  parts. 
Plantations  are  already  formed  on  the  banks  of  the  great 
river  Connecticut,  which,  being  beyond  the  charter  of  Massa- 
chusetts, has  been  created  a  separate  jurisdiction,  and  is  gov- 
erned by  its  own  laws,  without  being  considered  amenable  to 
the  mother  colony.' 

'  The  church  of  Newtown,  to  which  Mr.  Weldon  belongs,' 
said  the  Governor  to  Atherton,  '  was  among  the  first  that 
contemplated  a  removal  thither ;  and,  in  the  early  part  of 
this  summer,  a  new  company  arrived  from  England,  which 
purchased  their  estates,  and  left  them  at  liberty  to  commence 
their  toilsome  march.  They  penetrated  through  the  pathless 
wilderness,  upwards  of  an  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  to  a 
place  called  Suckiang,  now  Hartford,  which  they  had  fixed 
upon  for  their  abode,  and  to  which  they  were  nearly  a  fort- 
night in  traveling.  They  took  with  them  their  wives  and 
little  ones  ;  their  cattle  and  all  their  substance.  Their  only 
guide  was  the  compass ;  the  rocks  were  their  pillows,  and  the 
heavens  their  covering.  They  subsisted  on  the  milk  of  their 
kine,  and  the  herbs  and  wild  fruits  of  the  earth  ;  they  had 
rivers  to  ford ;  and  deep  morasses  and  high  mountains  beset 
their  path :  nevertheless,  the  Lord  watched  over  them,  and  led 
them  by  the  right  way,  and  in  peace  to  the  desired  land.  Mr. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  137 

Hooker,  their  minister,  and  Mr.  Stone,  teacher  of  their  church, 
went  with  them ;  for  in  all  their  wanderings,  our  people  of 
New-England  are  encouraged  and  edified,  by  the  presence 
and  counsel  of  the  pastors,  whom  their  own  choice,  and  the 
consent  of  the  neighboring  churches  have  connected  with 
them.' 

'  Your  civil  and  religious  concerns,  appear  to  be  so  closely 
blended,'  said  Atherton,  '  that  the  clergy  must  possess  an  in- 
fluence equal,  if  not  superior,  to  that  of  the  secular  rulers.' 

'  It  is  an  influence  which  we  cheerfully  yield  to  them,'  re- 
turned Mr.  Winslow ;  '  and  which  they  must  exercise,  so 
long  as  we  retain  the  views  and  principles  that  led  us  to  en- 
dure reproach  and  exile,  rather  than  submit  to  the  disci- 
pline of  a  church,  which  we  consider  unscriptural  and  cor- 
rupt.' 

'Your  situation  is  peculiar,'  resumed  Atherton  ;.' and  so 
far  as  my  limited  observation  enables  me  to  judge,  your  laws 
and  institutions  approximate  more  nearly  to  the  ancient  patri- 
archal government,  than  I  should  have  supposed  practicable 
at  this  late  period  of  the  world.' 

'  We  may  be  said,  almost  to  possess  a  world  of  our  own,' 
said  Mr.  Bradford  ;  '  we  are  so  remote  from  the  countries  of 
Europe,  that  the  government,  even  of  our  own  sovereign,  can 
only  impose  on  us  certain  general  laws,  while  the  interior 
regulations  of  the  colony  must  rest  entirely  on  ourselves;  and 
in  this,  and  all  our  concerns,  we  endeavor  to  make  the  word 
of  God  our  rule  and  guide.' 

'It  is  a  guide,  which  every  church  professes  to  follow,' 
said  Atherton  ;  '  but  its  political  code,  I  believe,  has  not  been 
found  adapted  to  the  genius  of  any  nation,  since  the  Christian 
era.' 

4  Yet,  as  far  as  circumstances  permit,'  returned  Mr.   Brad- 
ford, '  we  have  followed  the  law  of  Moses,  which,  being  de- 
12* 


138  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

livered  by  the  Most  High,  must  be  more  perfect  and  better 
suited  to  the  capacity  and  wants  of  man,  than  any  which  hu- 
man wisdom  can  devise ;  and  therefore  most  worthy  the  re- 
gard of  Christians,  who  wish  to  establish  a  colony,  not  from 
motives  of  human  ambition,  but  for  the  advancement  of  pure 
religion.' 

'  And  the  Lord  has  conducted  us,  even  as  he  did  the  chil- 
dren of  Israel,'  interrupted  Mr.  Scruple,  '  and  given  unto  us 
the  inheritance  of  Jacob,  whom  he  loved.' 

'  And  made  us  a  chosen  people,'  responded  Rebecca  Spin- 
dle, '  to  whom  he  delighteth  to  show  favor.' 

'  Those  who  are  not  of  us,  Mistress  Spindle,'  returned  the 
other,  glancing  at  Atherton,  '  understand  none  of  these  things 
and  our  words  seem  unto  them  like  idle  tales.' 

'  Perhaps,  sir,  your  counsel  may  enlighten  us,'  said  Ather- 
ton, looking  at  the  little  man,  who  had  evidently  intended  the 
observation  for  him,  and  whose  countenance  expressed  no 
small  degree  of  spiritual  pride,  with  that  long  favored  con- 
traction, if  the  term  may  be  allowed,  which  always  arises 
from  sectarian  prejudice.  With  undaunted  self-complacence, 
however,  he  replied, 

'  They  who  willfully  indulge  the  errors  of  prelacy,  are  like 
as  the  "  deaf  adder,  which  stoppeth  her  ears  against  the  voice 
of  the  charmer,  charm  he  never  so  wisely ;"  and  it  is  but 
"casting  pearls  before  swine,"  to  intermeddle  with  them.' 

Atherton  could  not  repress  a  smile,  but  avoided  any  farther 
controversy  with  one  whose  narrow  intellect  seemed  to  -ad- 
mit but  a  single  idea ;  and  an  embarrassing  pause  of  a  mo- 
ment was  relieved  by  the  entrance  of  Mr.  Grey,  and  Captain 
Standish. 

'  Well,  cousin  Atherton,'  said  the  latter  when  he  had  bow- 
ed with  military  precision  to  the  company,  '  I  expected  you 
would  be  here  before  me,  I  met  my  little  rose-bud,  just  now, 
riding  off  at  full  speed  with  the  Virginian.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  139 

'  And  she  told  you,'  interrupted  Atherton,  '  that  I  did  not 
find  her,  or  any  one  at  home.' 

'  No,  she  did  not ; '  replied  the  Captain.  '  I  asked  her  if 
she  had  seen  you,  and  she  said  that  she  had  met  your  spirit 
in  the  woods  ;  but  it  was  dumb,  so  she  put  no  questions  to  it.' 

'  She  seemed  in  haste,'  returned  Atherton,  '  and  both  her 
own  horse  and  Mr.  Cal vert's  were  fleet  and  spirited.' 

'  This  reminds  me,  sir,'  said  Mrs.  Winslow,  to  Mr.  Grey, 
'  of  a  report  in  circulation,  that  Mr.  Cal  vert  has  returned  hith- 
er, in  the  hope  of  conveying  your  daughter  back  to  Virginia 
with  him.' 

'  And  you  gave  no  credit  to  such  a  rumor,  I  trust,'  said  Mr. 
Grey. 

'  I  was  loath  to  believe  it,  for  a  moment,'  returned  Mrs. 
Winslow;  '  I  am  sure  Miriam  would  not  willingly  remove  so 
far  from  her  father's  house,  and  the  privileges  of  her  own 
people.' 

'  And  to  marry  an  idolatrous  churchman,'  said  Mistress 
Spindle,  '  and  go  amongst  those  blind  Egyptians,  who  know 
not  the  ways  of  Zion  !'  But  as  the  good  woman  concluded, 
she  recollected  the  presence  of  Atherton;  and  looking  at  him 
with  some  confusion,  hastily  added — '  I  mean,  touching  their 
outward  observances;  for  some,  doubtless,  may  have  pure 
hearts,  though  they  are  led  astray  to  follow  "cunningly  devis- 
ed fables." ' 

'  This  is  a  strange  story,'  said  Captain  Standish ;  '  but  I 
well  know,  there  can  be  no  truth  in  it.' 

'  You  judge  rightly,  Captain,'  said  Mr.  Grey;  '  my  daugh- 
ter knows  her  duty  too  well,  to  enter  into  a  covenant  with  the 
enemies  of  our  faith.' 

'  Ay,  I  thought  as  much  ; '  replied  the  Captain  ;  '  but  Cal- 
vert  is  a  sober  youth,  and  well-disposed,  and  withal,  of  an  hon- 
orable descent.' 


140  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'  He  claims  kindred  with  the  noble  lord  of  Baltimore,  I 
think,'  said  the  Governor,  '  to  whom  the  king  has  granted  a 
patent  for  the  territory  of  Maryland.' 

'  And  who,'  said  Mr.  Grey,  '  has  brought  over  the  crafty 
inventions  of  popery,  to  corrupt  this  new  world,  which  might 
otherwise,  have  remained  free  from  such  abominable  delu- 
sions.' 

'  Yea,'  rejoined  Mr.  Scruple,  '  and  did  not  the  lord  of  Bal- 
timore name  his  possessions  in  honor  of  the  papist  queen  of 
Charles  ?  and  when  his  brother,  the  Governor  Calvert,  with 
upwards  of  two  hundred  souls,  landed  in  the  province,  with 
idolatrous  mockery  they  set  up  a  cross,  that  relic  of  supersti- 
tion, and  ensign  of  the  Pope,  who  is  none  other  than  the  hor- 
ned beast  of  the  Revelations.' 

'  But,'  said  Mrs.  Winslovv,  '  they  appear  to  have  been  con- 
scientious ;  and  certainly  conducted  their  affairs  with  integri- 
ty and  wisdom,  so  as  to  give  no  offence,  even  to  those  who 
differed  from  them  in  modes  of  worship  ;  and,  if  they  act  hon- 
estly, according  to  the  knowledge  which  is  in  them,  nothing 
more  can  be  expected  or  required.' 

'  It  may  be  so,'  returned  the  other,  '  but  it  is  an  awful  thing 
to  have  the  banner  of  the  Pope,  that  prince  of  darkness,  plant- 
ed in  the  midst  of  our  land,  for  an  example  to  the  heathen 
and  a  stumbling  block  to  weak  brethren.' 

'  It  is  well  that  you  are  not  there  to  be  tempted,  Mr.  Scru- 
ple,' said  Captain  Standish  ;  '  I  acknowledge,  for  my  part,  a 
high  respect,  for  the  character  of  Governor  Calvert,  papist  as 
he  is ;  he  has  purchased  the  lands  fairly  of  the  natives,  which 
planters  do  not  always  think  necessary,  and  established  good 
government,  and  granted  liberty  of  conscience  and  equal 
privileges  to  all  sects  of  Christians, — and  what  more  or  better 
could  be  done,  I  pray  you  ?' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  141 

'  Truly  the  outward  part  appeareth  fair,'  replied  the  other, 
'  but  the  worshiping  of  saints  and  images  I  hold  to  be  a  cor- 
ruption of  "  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints." ' 

'  He  has  brought  forth  good  fruit,'  said  Mrs.  Winslow  ;  '  and 
it  is  not  for  us  to  judge  his  heart,  or  to  speak  uncharitably  of 
his  actions.' 

'  Spoken  like  a  true  woman  and  a  good  one,'  cried  the 
Captain;  'what  say  you  to  that,  Mr.  Bradford?' 

'  He  has  doubtless  been  an  instrument  in  the  hand  of  Prov- 
idence,' said  Mr.  Bradford,  'of  establishing  a  well-ordered 
colony,  and  flourishing  according  to  human  wisdom ;  but  it 
may  be  questioned  if  these  benefits  are  not  overbalanced  by 
the  spiritual  errors  which  are  mingled  with  them.' 

'We  must  humbly  trust,'  said  Mr.  Winslow,  'that  these  er- 
rors will  in  time  be  washed  away,  even  as  they  have  gradual- 
ly declined  in  the  parent  country.' 

'And  what  has  followed  to  fill  up  the  breach?'  asked  Mr. 
Scruple,  '  even  the  blindness  of  prelacy,  the  putting  on  of 
robes  and  mitres,  and  kneeling  down  to  repeat  prayers  from, 
printed  books  ;  these  are  the  gods  to  whom  the  people  have 
bowed  down.' 

'  Our  ancestors — those  of  us  who  had  any,'  said  the  Cap- 
tain, 'were  all  Catholics;  for  which  reason  we  are  bound  to 
speak  lightly  of  their  errors.  My  great  grandfather's  uncle, 
who  was  Bishop  of  St.  Asaph  in  the  reign  of  Henry  the 
eighth,  was  a  learned  prelate ;  and  I  have  too  much  respect 
for  his  memory  not  to  be  in  charity  with  his  persuasion.  But 
here  is  Mr.  Calvert,  we  will  ask  his  opinion.' 

'  You  have  come  just  in  time,  Mr.  Gal  vert, 'said  Mrs.  Wins- 
low,  '  to  settle  a  disputed  question.' 

'  And  what  is  it,  madam  ? '  ask  Mr.  Calvert. 

'  It  is,'  said  Mrs.  Winslow,  '  whether  the  settlement  of 
Maryland  has  been  beneficial  or  otherwise  to  the  country  at 
large  ? ' 


142  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'No  one  would  doubt  the  advantage,  I  think,'  replied  Cal- 
vert,  '  who  could  witness  its  rapid  improvement  in  the  short 
space  of  the  three  years  which  have  elapsed  since  the  arrival  of 
the  Governor  and  first  planters  ;  and  the  wise  administratioa11 
and  salutary  laws  which  have  marked  its  progress.' 

'  But  the  religion  which  they  have  established,'  said  Mrs. 
Winslow ;  '  have  we  not  cause  to  dread  its  consequences  on 
our  land  ? ' 

'  Of  that  I  am  incompetent  to  judge,'  returned  Calvert ; — 
'but  I  can  say  from  personal  observation  that  no  Governor 
south  of  New  England  has  been  more  beloved  and  respected 
by  every  sect  and  party.  My  opinion  is  disinterested,  for  the 
patent  of  lord  Baltimore  has  dismembered  many  fair  acres 
from  our  ancient  colony ;  and  we  have  in  vain  sought  redress 
from  the  monarch,  whose  favor  to  that  distinguished  noble- 
man is  exercised  in  defiance  of  our  superior  claims.' 

'  I  think  we  need  not  quarrel  about  waste  lands  in  this  coun- 
try till  we  have  more  hands  to  plant  them  ;'  said  Captain  Stan- 
dish;  'but  I  hope  what  remains  of  your  fine  province  is  in  a 
flourishing  state ! ' 

'  Extremely  so,'  returned  Calvert ;  '  though  I  am  sorry  to 
say  that  our  government  has  been  less  liberal  than  that  of 
Maryland,  and  that  its  recent  laws  against  sectaries  have  caus- 
ed many  to  abandon  the  territory,  and  prevented  others  from 
coming  into  it.' 

'In  my  humble  judgment,'  said  the  Captain,  'you  Virgini- 
ans have  ever  been  a  turbulent  people,  and  apt  to  verge  on 
extremes.  At  one  time  you  were  almost  exterminated  by 
famine,  and  when  a  supply  reached  you  it  was  wasted  in  ex- 
travagance ;  again  you  were  all  running  wild  without  gov- 
ernment, moral  or  religious,  and  now  you  are  for  making  ev- 
ery man  worship  in  your  own  way  or  pay  a  penalty.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  143 

1  Spare  us  if  you  please,' said  Calvert;  'it  was  in  the  days 
of  our  infancy  that  we  were  so  undisciplined;  we  are  now 
grown  up  into  steady  and  orderly  citizens,  though  it  will  per- 
haps be  long  before  we  attain  to  the  purity  and  strictness  of 
New-England  principles.' 

'  The  early  Virginia  Companies,'  said  the  Governor, 
'  were  too  anxious  for  its  rapid  settlement ;  and  it  must  re- 
quire many  years  to  obliterate  the  t  fleets  of  that  blind  policy 
which  induced  them  to  transport  dissolute  and  criminal  per- 
sons into  a  young  country.' 

'  And  king  James  in  later  days,'  said  Calvert,  'graciously 
improved  upon  the  hint,  and  we  have  yet  living  mementoes 
of  his  royal  clemency  which  let  loose  upon  our  society  the 
malefactors  destined  for  his  own  prisons.' 

'  A  less  acceptable  cargo,  I  suppose,'  said  the  Captain,  '  than 
the  young  and  handsome  females  whom  the  Company  sent 
over  to  be  help-mates  for  your  bachelors.' 

'By  far,'  said  Calvert  ;  '  Sir  Edwin  Sandys  did  justice  to 
Virginian  gallantry  in  proposing  so  fair  a  freight ;  and  as 
wives  wer§  in  great  requisition  at  that  time,  a  hundred  and  fifty 
pounds  of  tobacco,  the  price  demanded,  was  not  considered 
too  much  for  a  good  one.' 

'  I  think  though,'  said  the  Captain,  'your  treasurer  should 
have  been  more  impartial ;  and  instead  of  culling  all  the 
young  and  pretty  maidens,  have  given  a  few  old  and  ugly 
ones  a  chance  to  get  husbands  in  your  ready  market.' 

'  I  hope,  Captain,'  returned  Calvert,  '  that  if  your  Plymouth 
Colony  should  have  recourse  to  a  foreign  traffic  for  wives, 
you  will  adopt  that  amendment ;  but  I  can  answer  for  our 
southern  planters,  that  Sir  Edwin's  proposition  is  far  better 
suited  to  their  taste.' 

'  1  do  not  doubt  you,'  said  the  Captain  ;  '  but  I  take  it  you 
have  enough  of  that  commodity  now  for  home  consumption, 
and  have  no  need  of  an  outward  trade  to  supply  yourselves.' 


144  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

*  There  is  certainly  no  necessity  for  it,'  replied  Calvert ; — 
'  but  it  is  well  to  keep  up  a  friendly  commerce  with  our  neigh- 
bors, particularly  the  few  whom  we  can  call  such  on  this  side 
the  Atlantic.' 

«  Well,  I  heard  Major  Atherton  talk  about  visiting  Virgin- 
ia the  other  day,'  said  the  Captain  ;  '  but  whether  he  intends 
to  turn  merchant  or  married  man,  I  havn't  yet  discovered.' 

'Neither,  at  present,'  returned  Atherton;  'but  I  have  ever 
felt  a  strong  curiosity  to  see  that  country,  which  from  its  first 
discovery  has  excited  so  much  interest  in  England,  and  is 
moreover  associated  with  many  pleasing  and  romantic  recol- 
lections. The  adventurous  courage  of  Smith,  the  chivalrous 
spirit  of  the  unfortunate  Raleigh,  and  the  devoted  heroism  of 
Pocahontas,  would  alone  render  it  immortal.' 

'  You  should  add  the  raising  of  tobacco,  cousin  Edward,' 
said  the  Captain  laughing.  '  You  know  it  is  a  favorite  plant 
of  mine,  and  a  great  promoter  of  good-humor.  I  hope,  Mr. 
Calvert,  it  continues  in  demand  and  produces  good  crops.' 

'  The  crops  are  plentiful  enough,'  returned  Calvert;  '  but  I 
think,  since  King  James'  "  Counterblast,"  is  getting  out  of 
date,  it  rather  declines  in  value.  Courtly  opposition  undoubt- 
edly contributed  to  its  circulation,  and  induced  very  many 
persons  to  try  the  effect  of  a  weed,  which  their  sovereign 
deigned  to  exercise  his  royal  talents  in  writing  a  book  to  con- 
demn.' 

' 1  never  could  agree  with  his  Majesty  on  that  subject,' said 
the  Captain,  '  not  to  mention  some  others  ;  and  I  will  not  give 
up  my  comfortable  pipe  of  tobacco,  though  he  is  pleased  to 
say,  it  is  only  "  fit  to  regale  the  devil  after  dinner."  ' 

A  summons  to  Mrs.  Winslow's  hospitable  supper,  here  in- 
terrupted the  conversation  ;  and,  soon  afterwards  the  company 
dispersed  to  their  respective  places  of  abode. 


PEEP     AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  145 


CHAPTER     XI. 

What  ?  do  I  love  her, 
That  I  desire  to  hear  her  speak  again, 
And  feast  upon  her  eyes  ? 

SHAKSPEARE. 

ON  the  following  afternoon,  Captain  Standish  was  obliged  to 
leave  home  on  business  ;  and,  having  charged  Alexander  to 
entertain  Major  Atherton  till  he  returned,  the  lad  proposed 
his  favorite  amusement  of  fishing.  They  were  soon  launched 
upon  the  Bay  ;  but,  from  whatever  cause,  the  fish  proved 
shy  ;  which,  however,  only  stimulated  the  perseverance  of 
Alexander,  who  toiled  manfully ;  and  with  much  of  his  fa- 
ther's ardor,  applied  himself  to  the  task,  as  if  his  life  de- 
pended on  success. 

Atherton  was  certainly  less  zealous  ;  his  eyes  continually 
reverted  to  the  distant  shores  of  the  Gurnet,  and  his  thoughts 
were  probably  occupied  by  certain  associations  connected  with 
it;  for  his  companion,  while  skillfully  managing  his  own  line, 
observed  that  his  kinsman's  remained  long  in  the  water,  and 
only  stirred  by  the  dull  motion  of  the  waves.  When  he 
finally  drew  it  out,  the  hook  was  without  bait,  and  Alexander, 
who  had  seen  it  glitter  before  it  reached  the  surface,  ex- 
claimed, 

'  Upon  my  word,  Major  Atherton,  that  fish  had  a  dainty 
morsel  from  your  hook,  and  he  must  have  worked  cautiously 
to  take  it  off,  without  pricking  his  gills.' 

'  Really,'  said  Atherton,  '  there  is  no  sport  for  us  to-day  ;  I 
think  the  scaly  race  have  all  gone  to  bed  in  broad  sun-shine.' 
13 


146  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

« Look,  here  are  two  notable  fellows  I  have  caught,'  re- 
turned Alexander,  '  and  here  comes  another  ;  no,  he  has  bit, 
and  gone  off  with  himself.' 

'  I  should  like  to  be  off,  too,  Alexander,  if  it  please  you,' 
said  Atherton ;  '  there  is  really  more  toil  than  pleasure  in 
this  tedious  angling.' 

'I  will  land  you,  if  you  wish  it,'  said  Alexander,  ' and  re- 
turn here  by  myself;  my  father  will  laugh  at  us,  if  we  carry 
home  no  more  spoil.' 

'Yonder  is  Plymouth,'  said  Atherton,  '  if  we  can  push  in 
there,  I  will  pass  an  hour  or  two,  and  be  ready  to  return  with 
you.' 

In  a  few  moments,  Major  Atherton  stood  on  the  Plymouth 
beach,  and  while  deliberating  what  course  to  pursue,  he 
moved  slowly  on,  and,  as  if  unconscious  what  path  his  feet 
had  chosen,  started  at  finding  himself  by  the  oak  tree,  which 
shaded  the  dwelling  of  Mr.  Grey.  '  I  will  not  call  again  to- 
day,' he  thought,  and  passed  leisurely  on,  though  not  without 
a  strict  survey  of  the  premises.  No  person  was  visible  ;  and 
Miriam's  kitten,  which  lay  sunning  herself  on  the  door-step, 
was  the  only  animated  object  in  the  vicinity.  Retracing  his 
steps,  Atherton  was  soon  again  on  the  sea-shore,  and  not  far 
from  the  Pilgrim's  rock,  close  to  which  the  Virginia  pinnace 
lay  at  anchor.  Thin  groves  of  trees  were  here  and  there  scat- 
tered along  the  shore,  apparently  the  second  growth  of  large 
forests,  which  had  undoubtedly  once  covered  the  plain  where 
the  village  now  stood,  and  which,  on  the  first  arrival  of  the 
colony,  presented  the  appearance  of  a  level  field,  though  re- 
taining vestiges  of  former  cultivation,  and  bearing  marks  of 
the  rude  implements  with  which  the  natives  weie  accustomed 
to  till  their  ground,  and  prepare  the  ridges  for  their  corn  plan- 
tations. These  appearances,  confirmed  the  report  of  some 
friendly  savages,  that  it  had  once  been  the  site  of  a  flourish- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  147 

ing  Indian  town,  whose  inhabitants  were  swept  away  by  a 
contagious  malady,  which  had  desolated  the  country,  from 
the  Bay  of  Plymouth  to  the  shores  of  the  Narraganset. 

As  Major  Atherton  was  passing  a-long  the  skirts  of  a  small 
wood,  a  faint  rustling  among  the  withered  branches,  caused  him 
to  look  round  ;  and,  at  the  same  instant,  the  low  humming 
of  a  sweet  female  voice,  directed  his  attention  to  a  spot,  where, 
leaning  carelessly  against  the  trunk  of  a  tree,  his  eyes  rested 
on  the  figure  of  Miriam  Grey.  She  evidently  did  not  see 
him,  and  was  busily  arranging  some  gay  autumnal  flowers, 
and  fresh  evergreens  into  a  boquet,  occasionally  stopping  to 
examine  them  with  minute  attention,  while  her  countenance 
expressed  the  pleasure  derived  from  her  simple  amusement. 
It  is  uncertain  how  long  Atherton  might  have  continued  to 
admire  in  silence,  the  graceful  negligence  of  her  attitude,  and 
listen  to  the  plaintive  melody  of  her  voice,  if,  in  changing 
her  position,  a  corresponding  motion  on  his  part,  had  not  ap- 
prized her  of  his  proximity.  A  vivid  blush,  which  dyed  even 
her  forehead  with  crimson,  convinced  Atherton  that  he  was 
observed,  and  her  confusion  was  in  a  slight  degree  shared  by 
himself.  In  the  first  start  of  surprise,  Miriam  had  dropped  a 
part  of  her  nosegay  ;  and  to  relieve  his  embarrassment,  at 
which  he  felt  surprised,  Atherton  sprang  forward,  and  raising 
it  from  the  ground,  returned  it  to  her  ;  retaining,  however,  a 
sprig  of  evergreen,  which  he  gallantly  placed  in  his  own 
bosom,  without  receiving  even  a  reproving  glance,  unless  a 
still  deeper  glow  could  be  interpreted  as  one. 

'  I  hope,'  said  Atherton,  '  I  shall  not  interrupt  your  employ- 
ment, though  I  have  sadly  deranged  the  flowers  which  you 
were  assorting  with  so  much  taste.' 

'It  will  only  prolong  my  occupation,' returned  Miriam, 
«  which,  trifling  as  it  is,  has  served  to  pass  away  a  few  mo- 
ments, while  waiting  for  my  cousin  Lois,  who  has  wandered 


148  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

away,  I  know  not  whither.  But  perhaps,  you  may  have  met 
with  her  ?  ' 

'  I  have  not ; '  said  Atherton,  '  though,  indeed,  my  walk 
has  not  been  extended  far  from  this  spot,  at  least,  since  I 
caught  the  sound  of  your  voice,  which  attracted  me  to  it.' 

'I  was  scarcely  aware,'  said  Miriam,  '  that  my  idle  hum 
rose  into  an  audible  sound,  or  I  should  have  been  more  guard- 
ed, in  a  place  like  this.1 

'  A  place  exposed  to  intruders,  would  you  say  ? '  asked 
Atherton,  smiling — '  Believe  me,  my  intrusion  was  unpre- 
meditated, and  I  hope  you  will  not  punish  me,  by  regretting 
that  you  charmed  me  awhile,  though  unconsciously,  with  the 
delightful  melody  of  your  voice.' 

'  I  should  scarcely  expect,'  said  Miriam,  '  that  our  New- 
England  music  could  have  any  charms  for  you,  who  have 
been  accustomed  to  the  skillful  harmony  of  your  own  coun- 
try.' 

'  And  yet,'  replied  Atherton,  'no  music  was  ever  so  pleas- 
ant to  my  ear,  as  the  simple  psalmody  of  your  congregation, 
which  my  mother  used  to  sing,  and  delighted  to  teach  me  in 
my  childhood.  It  is  long,'  he  added,  after  a  brief  pause, 
'  since  I  listened  to  those  strains  which  your  voice  recalls  to 
my  memory,  like  the  charm  of  renewed  happiness.' 

'  I  fear  it  has  also  awakened  unpleasant  remembrances,'  said 
Miriam,  who  observed  a  shade  of  sadness  pass  over  his  coun- 
tenance. 

'  They  are  recollections  of  pure  and  heartfelt  happiness,' 
returned  Atherton,  'and  though  alloyed  by  many  painful 
hours  which  have  since  intervened,  I  would  not  for  worlds 
obliterate  them  from  my  memory.' 

'  But,'  said  Miriam,  '  would  it  not  be  prudent  to  repel  asso- 
ciations which  have  at  least  as  much  pain  as  pleasure  mingled 
with  them  ? ' 


PEEP    AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  149 

'  Not  if  you  exclude  music,'  said  Atherton;  '  that  is  one  of 
the  last  enjoyments  I  should  be  willing  to  sacrifice ;  and  never 
has  my  heart  more  deeply  felt  its  influence,  than  when  list- 
ening to  the  melody  of  untutored  voices  in  your  semblies, 
and  by  your  fire-sides.' 

'  We  humble  puritans,'  said  Miriam,  with  arch  gravity, 
'  are  a  psalm-singing  people,  but  our  untaught  harmony  is 
rarely  honored  vviih  the  approbation  of  those  who  chant  to 
the  sound  of  the  organ  in  high  places.' 

'  Their  commendation,'  returned  Atherton,  'must  at  least 
be  sincere  and  disinterested.' 

'  We  regard  it  but  as  the  incense  of  a  vain  sacrifice,'  re- 
plied Miriam,  in  the  same  tone ;  and  then  quickly  resuming 
her  usual  manner,  she  added,  '  but  it  will  be  night  ere  we 
reach  home,  if  we  wait  much  longer  for  Lois ;  I  know  not 
but  she  may  be  already  there,  though  she  left  me  only  to  go 
a  short  distance  and  promised  to  return  directly.' 

1  Shall  I  seek  her,  and  tell  her  you  have  been  waiting  long 
and  patiently  ? '  asked  Atherton,  who  feared  his  presence  em- 
barrassed her,  or  might  be  considered  improper,  in  a  place 
where  strictness  of  manners  was  carried  to  an  extreme. 

'  I  have  not  been  very  impatient,'  returned  Miriam, '  though 
were  it  not  for  giving  you  so  much  trouble — ' 

'  Do  not  speak  of  trouble,'  interrupted  Atherton  ;  '  any 
thing  which  obliges  you  will  give  me  pleasure  ;  so  farewell, 
and  in  a  few  moments  I  hope  to  return  successful.' 

Atherton  looked  back  more  than  once  as  he  pursued  the 
way  in  the  direction  which  Miriam  pointed  out,  and  saw  her 
still  on  the  spot  where  he  had  left  her,  and  again  busied  with 
her  flowers,  until  the  windings  of  the  path  concealed  her  from 
his  view.  But  though  her  fingers  were  employed  with  the 
flowers,  her  thoughts  seemed  wandering  to  other  subjects ; 
for  she  had  plucked  every  blossom  from  its  stem,  and  strewed 
13* 


150  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

the  ground  with  their  leaves,  and  when  only  a  single  stalk  re- 
mained in  her  hand,  she  looked  at  it  in  surprise,  and  ex- 
claimed audibly, 

1  My  beautiful  flowers  !  what  have  I  done  to  them  ?  ' 

'  And  may  I  ask,  fair  Miriam,'  said  a  voice  behind  her, 
'  what  subject  of  contemplation  has  so  entirely  absorbed  your 
mind  ? ' 

Miriam  started,  and  turning  round,  saw  Mr.  Calvert  by  her 
side;  and  with  perfect  calmness  she  replied, 

'It  would  be  difficult  to  answer  your  question,  sir;  I  am 
myself  scarcely  conscious  what  ideas  engrossed  me  at  the 
moment  you  appeared.' 

•Perhaps,'  said  Calvert,  in  a  tone  of  irony  very  usual  with 
him  ;  '  perhaps  you  were  admiring  the  beauties  of  nature,  or 
drawing  moral  reflections  from  the  fall  of  the  autumnal  leaf.' 

'No,'  said  Miriam,  pointing  to  the  scattered  flowers,  'I 
was  destroying  the  beauties  of  nature,  instead  of  admiring 
them,  and  my  reflections  were  certainly  less  melancholy  than 
the  season  and  this  place  are  calculated  to  excite.' 

'And  what  is  there  of  melancholy  connected  with  this 
place?'  asked  Calvert;  'just  now  it  seemed  to  me  a  scene 
of  happiness  which  almost  excited  my  envy.' 

Miriam,  without  noticing  his  last  remark,  pointed  to  a  level 
bank,  which  rose  abruptly  from  the  ocean  directly  at  their 
feet ;  it  appeared  to  have  been  once  cultivated,  but  was  then 
covered  with  coarse  grass,  and  a  few  stinted  evergreens. 

'  This,'  she  said,  '  is  the  burial  place  where  our  poor  colony, 
during  the  dreadful  winter  which  succeeded  their  arrival, 
were  obliged  to  consign  more  than  half  their  number,  who  fell 
victims  to  the  distress  and  fatigue  of  their  situation.  Many 
an  honored  and  virtuous  head  reposes  here,  who,  while  their 
memory  is  fading  away  on  earth,  are  doubtless  receiving  a 
bright  reward  for  their  sufferings  and  pious  labors,  where 
there  are  no  more  trials,  nor  any  change.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILQEIMS.  151 

'  But  I  see  no  graves,'  said  Calvert ;  '  not  even  a  single 
stone  to  mark  it  as  a  place  of  interment.' 

1  No,'  returned  Miriam  ;  '  for  so  much  were  we  reduced  by 
sickness  and  death,  that  it  was  thought  expedient  to  level  the 
ground  and  plant  it,  lest  the  natives  should  discover  our  weak- 
ness, and  take  advantage  of  it,  when  we  were  unable  to  resist 
them.  But  the  spot  is  no  less  sacred  in  our  eyes,  than  if 
marked  by  the  most  stately  monuments  of  marble.' 

'  In  a  few  years,'  said  Calvert,  '  all  will  be  forgotten,  and 
even  now  the  living  have  ceased  to  mourn  for  those  who  lie 
here.' 

'  They  are  no  longer  mourned,'  said  Miriam ;  '  but  their  un- 
timely fate  cannot  be  remembered  without  feelings  of  tender- 
ness and  regret ;  particularly  by  those  who  shared  their  dan- 
gers, and  were  mercifully  spared  to  longer  and  happier  days.' 

1  You  have  imbibed  these  feelings,'  said  Calvert,  '  from  the 
gloomy  traditions  of  the  good  people  around  you  :  you  were 
then  an  infant,  and  incapable  of  realizing  dangers  or  misfor- 
tunes.' 

'  True,'  said  Miriam  ;  '  yet  every  affecting  incident  is  im- 
pressed upon  my  mind  as  strongly  as  if  I  had  then  been  ma- 
ture in  age  and  reason  ;  and  I  should  think  even  a  stranger 
would  feel  a  touch  of  interest  and  sympathy  in  such  calami- 
ties.' 

'  They  do,'  said  Calvert,  '  and  none  more  deeply  than  my- 
self, in  all  which  concerns  the  colony,  in  all  that  interests  you, 
Miriam  ;  but  pardon  me,  if  I  say  this  cloud  of  sadness  is  less 
suited  to  your  countenance  than  the  smiles  which  usually 
adorn  it.' 

'  Your  trifling  is  ill-timed,  sir  ; '  replied  Miriam,  'and  we 
will  drop  a  subject  that  seems  to  have  wearied  you.  Now, 
that  I  have  answered  all  your  questions,  may  I  be  permitted 


152  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

to  inquire  what  accident  has  brought  you   hither  so  unex- 
pectedly.' 

'  Accident,'  said  Calvert,  'has   often  fortunately  conducted 

me  to  you.' 

'  Yesterday,  for  instance,'  interrupted  Miriam,  '  when  your 
high-mettled  steed  came  so  suddenly  upon  us,  to  the  great 
alarm  of  my  palfrey,  and  the  imminent  hazard  of  our  necks.' 

'  Yes,  yesterday,'  continued  Calvert ;  '  but  to-day  my  in- 
trusion is  entirely  voluntary ;  and  I  confess  I  was  drawn  here 
by  a  spell  which  my  heart  is  unable  to  resist.' 

«  A  spell ! '  said  Miriam  with  simplicity,  « really,  Mr.  Cal- 
vert, I  do  not  understand  you.' 

<  Then  you  must  be  the  only  one  who  is  ignorant  of  the 
witchery  of  your  charms,'  said  Calvert. 

'  Have  you  witches  in  Virginia,  sir  ? '  asked  Miriam, 
gravely  ;  '  you  seem  familiar  with  such  beings,  but  they  have 
not  yet  disturbed  the  peace  of  our  colony.' 

Calvert  looked  at  her  in  some  perplexity,  to  discover  if  the 
grave  simplicity  of  her  manner  was  real  or  affected ;  but  before 
his  doubts  were  satisfied,  she  added, — 

'  Perhaps  I  am  indebted  to  their  counsel  for  the  favor  of 
this  interview.' 

'  No,'  replied  Calvert,  '  I  .have  long  regarded  you  from  my 
pinnace  yonder,  and  only  waited  till  you  should  be  left 
alone  before  I  joined  you.' 

'  Indeed ! '  said  Miriam ;  '  I  was  not  aware  of  being  a  sub- 
ject of  observation  ;  but  had  you  reached  this  place  a  few  mo- 
ments sooner,  you  would  have  conferred  on  Major  Atherton, 
as  well  as  myself,  the  pleasure  of  your  society.' 

'  That,'  said  Calvert,  '  can  be  desired  by  neither  of  us  ;  and 
what  I  would  say  to  you,  Miriam,  can  concern  yourself  alone, 
least  of  all,  the  person  whom  you  have  mentioned.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  153 

1 1  must  beg  you  to  be  brief  then,'  said  Miriam ;  '  for  I  mo- 
mently expect  his  return,  as  he  left  me  but  to  seek  my  cousin, 
and  methinks  I  now  hear  their  footsteps.' 

As  she  spoke,  she  turned  from  him  with  the  air  of  one  who 
listens  attentively  ;  and  Calvert,  with  ill-concealed  impatience 
and  vexation,  retreated  from  her  a  few  paces  in  silence.  But 
as  no  one  appeared  he  presently  returned,  and  looking  at  her 
attentively,  asked, — 

'  How  fs  it  that  a  stranger  like  Major  Atherton  has  excited 
so  much  interest  in  this  place,  where  till  within  a  few  weeks, 
his  very  name  was  unknown  ?  ' 

'  Like  all  other  strangers  of  fair  and  honorable  character,' 
said  Miriam,  '  he  has  claims  upon  our  hospitality  which  it  is 
our  duty  to  discharge.' 

'  And  what  evidence  have  you,'  asked  Calvert,  '  that  this 
character  belongs  to  Major  Atherton  ?  ' 

'  All  that  we  can  have  of  a  foreigner,'  said  Miriam, — '  the 
evidence  of  those  friends  whose  letters  commended  him  to  our 
favor ;  and  his  good  conduct  since  he  has  been  with  us  has 
gained  him  the  esteem  of  many,  who  are  not  used  to  bestow 
it  lightly  and  without  cause.' 

1  Not  to  mention  his  heroic  attempt  to  save  your  life,'  re- 
turned Calvert,  «  which  has  doubtless  obtained  your  individual 
regard.' 

Miriam  was  about  to  reply  when  they  heard  the  sound  of 
approaching  voices  ;  and  immediately  Lois  Grey,  with  Henry 
Weldon  and  Atherton,  emerged  from  the  grove  of  trees,  di- 
rectly against  them.  Major  Atherton  who  was  speaking  with 
animation,  stopped  abruptly  when  he  saw  Calvert  conversing 
alone  with  Miriam  ;  and  the  idea  that  she  had  perhaps  wished 
his  absence  to  receive  the  visit  of  another,  excited  feel- 
ings which  he  could  with  difficulty  repress.  Calvert  mark- 
ed the  variations  of  his  countenance,  which  he  considered  a 


154  PEEP  AT  THE    PILGRIMS. 

confirmation  of  suspicions  he  had  before  entertained  ;  nor  did 
he  fail  to  notice  the  deep  blush  of  Miriam,  excited  by  the  ap- 
prehension that  her  situation  might  be  misunderstood  by  one 
whose  good  opinion  she  felt  unwilling  to  forfeit.  Shaking 
off  her  confusion  as  much  as  possible  however,  she  ad- 
vanced to  meet  them,  and  taking  her  cousin's  arm.  said  to 
her, — 

'I  have  been  long  expecting  you,  Lois;  but  the  delay  is 
sufficiently  explained,  since  I  find  you  have  not  been  indulg- 
ing a  solitary  ramble.' 

'  No,'  said  Lois,  '  I  chanced  to  meet  Mr.  Weldon,  and — ' 

'  And  you  walked  on,'  interrupted  Miriam,  '  quite  forgetful 
of  your  promise  and  my  lonely  state.' 

'  I  will  not  trouble  you  with  an  explanation,'  returned  Lois, 
'  as  you  probably  have  been  so  agreeably  engaged  that  my 
absence  was  scarcely  regretted.' 

'  Well,'  said  Miriam,  '  we  must  now  hasten ;  for  it  is 
already  past  the  time  when  we  promised  my  father  to  be  at 
home.' 

They  shortly  regained  the  highway,  where  Atherton  sepa- 
rated from  the  party,  though  urged  by  Lois  Grey  to  return 
with  them  ;  pleading,  as  his  excuse,  that  Alexander  Standish 
would  be  waiting  for  him.  Alexander  however  was  not  on 
the  beach ;  nor  was  his  boat  visible  on  the  water  ;  and  Ather- 
ton concluding  he  had  returned  without  him,  determined  to 
walk  back  to  Captain  Standish's,  which  as  he  chanced  to  be 
in  a  musing  mood,  was  by  no  means  a  disagreeable  alterna- 
tive. 

It  was  then  nearly  dark,  and  Atherton  was  passing  hastily 
along,  when  he  met  Mr.  Calvert  just  issuing  from  the  gate  at 
Mr.  Grey's.  Calvert  looked  at  him  in  surprise. 

'  I  thought,  sir,'  he  said,  '  you  were  long  since  comfortably 
seated  in  the  Captain's  warm  quarters;  you  will  be  late  if 
you  have  all  that  distance  to  walk  to-night.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  155 

"'  That  is  of  little  consequence,'  replied  Atherton,  'the path 
is  as  familiar  to  me  by  night,  as  in  the  noon-day.' 

'  But  you  have  taken  the  longest  way,'  pursued  Calvert ; 
'  this  road  is  leading  you  far  from  the  direct  route.' 

'  It  is  a  matter  of  choice,'  returned  Atherton ;  '  and  I  presume 
I  am  at  liberty  to  take  whichever  suits  my  convenience  or 
pleasure.' 

'  Certainly,'  said  Calvert,  '  and  I  am  myself  too  sensible 
of  the  peculiar  attractions  of  this,  to  be  surprised  at  your  pref- 
erence.' 

Calvert  spoke  in  a  sarcastic  tone,  which  was  calculated  to 
irritate  the  feelings  of  Atherton  ;  but  he  prudently  refrained 
from  answering,  and  coldly  bidding  him  good  night,  pursued 
his  solitary  way. 

Captain  Slandish  had  been  expecting  the  return  of  Major 
Atherlon  with  some  impatience  ;  and  when  he  at  last  heard 
him  enter  the  house,  he  knocked  the  ashes  from  his  pipe  and 
called  loudly  to  bid  Mistress  Saveall  put  the  supper  on  the  ta- 
ble instantly. 

But  Mistress  SavealPs  shrill  voice  answered  from  her  do- 
minions, that  '  it  took  time  for  all  things  ;  and  master  Alexan- 
der's fish  could  not  be  fried  in  a  minute.' 

'  They  have  been  at  home  a  good  hour,  or  more,'  said  the 
Captain;  'and  less  time  than  that  might  suffice  to  make  them 
as  brown  as  a  hazle-nut.' 

'  Yes,'  replied  the  dame ;  '  and  as  cold  as  a  stone,  withal : 
and  then  who  but  me  would  be  blamed  when  they  were  serv- 
ed up,  and  not  fit  to  eat.' 

'  Use  your  hands,  Mistress,  instead  of  your  tongue,  and  it 
please  you,'  said  the  Captain ;  '  these  women  can  do  nothing 
without  prating  like  magpies  all  the  time  about  it.' 

He  pushed  the  door,  not  very  gently,  as  he  concluded  ;  and 
the  reply  of  the  housekeeper,  who,  with  the  becoming  spirit 


156  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

of  her  sex,  seemed  resolved  to  give  the  last  word,  was  lost  to 
the  ear  of  Atherton,  who  had  been  entertained  by  the  rest  of 
the  domestic  dialogue  ;  from  which  he  inferred,  that  his  pro- 
1  onged  absence  had  been  displeasing  to  all  parties. 

But  the  Captain's  good  humor  returned  the  moment  his 
kinsman  entered  the  room  ;  and  rising  from  his  elbow-chair, 
he  said,  gaily, — 

'  Well,  Edward,  you  are  really  taken  with  a  roving  spirit ; 
but  if  you  play  the  truant  often,  I  fear  good  Mistress  Saveall's 
small  stock  of  patience  will  be  quite  exhausted.' 

'  Perhaps,'  said  Atherton, '  occasional  exercise  may  strength- 
en that  valuable  property  ;  and  I  think  sir,  you  would  have 
reason  to  thank  me  for  any  improvement  of  the  kind.' 

'  Why,  yes  ;'  returned  the  Captain  ;  '  but  to  tell  the  truth, 
I  am  not  over  anxious  to  have  my  own  patience  put  to  the 
test  very  often.  I  fear  it  would  not  come  forth,  like  gold  from 
the  furnace,  purified  by  the  trial.' 

'  I  believe  the  virtue  is  not  apt  to  flourish  well  in  our  pro- 
fession,' returned  Atherton.  'But  I  have  not  yet  explained 
the  cause  of  my  absence,  which,  I  am  sorry  to  believe,  has 
kept  you  so  long  waiting  for  me.' 

4  No  matter,'  replied  the  Captain ;  '  it  has  given  us  better 
appetites,  and  we  can  talk  over  the  matter  while  eating  our 
supper.' 

'  Here  comes  Alexander,'  said  Atherton  ;  '  and  now  I.  may 
hope  to  know  if  he  forgot  his  promise  to  stop  for  me  at  the 
beach.' 

'  No,'  said  Alexander,  '  I  waited  for  you  till  almost  sunset, 
and  then  I  met  Hobamock,  who  told  me  he  saw  you  in  the 
woods  with  Miriam  Grey  ;  so  I  thought  you  would  go  home 
with  her,  and  it  was  of  no  use  to  stay  longer.' 

'I  chanced  to  meet  her,  in  walking,  as  I  was  about  to  in- 
form you,  Captain,'  said  Atherton,  carelessly,  « and  her  cousin 
Lois,  with  Mr.  Weldon  and  Calvert.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  157 

'  But  Hobamock  told  me  you  were  alone  with  Miriam,'  re- 
turned Alexander;  '  and  shall  I  tell  you,  Major,  something 
more  that  he  said  about  you  ? ' 

'  No,'  said  Atherton,  quickly ;  '  Hobamock's  eyes  are  wax- 
ing dim,  I  fancy  ;  and  he  must  have  mistaken  the  rest  of  our 
party  for  pine  stumps,  or  savin  trees.' 

'  Hobamock's  eyes  are  sharp  enough,'  said  the  Captain  ; — 
'  but  you  say  Mr.  Calvert  was  there  ?  I  think  that  young  gal- 
lant will  find  himself  mistaken,  if  he  hopes  to  carry  away 
our  rose-bud  from  New  England.' 

'  Women  are  said  to  be  fond  of  novelty  and  variety,'  said 
Atherton  ;  '  and  perhaps  she  may  prefer  the  warmer  and 
brighter  climate  of  Virginia.' 

'  No  ;  no  such  thing,'  returned  the  Captain  ;  «  besides,  Cal- 
vert is  a  churchman,  and  her  father  would  almost  as  soon  see 
her  married  to  the  Pope  of  Rome,  if  his  Holiness  might  be 
permitted  to  take  unto  himself  a  lawful  wife.' 

Major  Atherton  paused  till  he  had  twice  measured  the  room 
with  his  steps  ;  but  willing  to  learn  more  of  the  Captain's 
opinion  on  that  subject,  he  at  length  said, — 

'  Calvert  is  insinuating  in  his  manners  and  address, 
and  may  overcome  the  scruples  of  Miriam,  if  not  her  fa- 
ther's ;  it  is.  hardly  possible  that  Mr.  Grey  would  withhold 
his  consent  if  the  happiness  of  his  only  child  were  concern- 
ed.' 

'  Now,  Edward  Atherton,'  said  the  Captain,  smiling,  '1 
perceive  you  judge  of  us  from  your  own  good  mother,  who 
was  all  mildness  and  charity  ;  she  was  a  Puritan,  too  ;  but 
we,  true  Nonconformists,  Separatists,  Independents,  or  as  god- 
ly Mr.  Cotton  of  the  Massachusetts  has  at  last  styled  us,  Con- 
gregationalists,  hold  it  a  sin  to  enter  into  a  covenant  with  you 
heretics  and  idolaters  ;  and  believe  me,  Miriam  Grey  herself 
would  rather  marry  that  prosing,  preaching  Benjamin  Ashly, 
than  to  choose  from  among  the  best  of  you.' 
14 


158  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

'  Really,  sir,'  said  Atherton  almost  indignantly,  '  you  would 
give  us  an  exalted  idea  of  Miriam  Grey's  taste  and  discern- 
ment.' 

'  Not  so,'  said  the  Captain ;  <  but  it  is  a  part  of  her  creed ; 
and  she  would  think  it  rebelling  against  the  light  of  con- 
science, to  err  one  jot  or  tittle  from  that.  I  do  not  think, 
though,  that  the  girl  has  any  fancy  for  Master  Ashly,  unless 
it  may  be,  to  indulge  her  merry  humor  in  laughing  at  him. 
now  and  then  ;  for  she  hath  a  light  heart ;  ay,  and  as  inno- 
cent too,  as  the  smile  on  her  rosy  lips.  But  here  is  a  savory 
smell  of  supper,  and  I  think  we  may  all  do  tolerable  justice  to 
it  to-night.' 

'  I  can  answer  for  myself,'  said  Atherton,  '  that  it  was  never 
more  welcome ;  a  long  walk  certainly  promotes  the  appetite 
wonderfully.' 

'A  long  walk  and  a  long  fast,'  returned  the  Captain; — 
'  so  now  for  a  vigorous  onset.'  And,  drawing  their  chairs 
around  the  table,  Mistress  Saveall's  choice  dishes  and  good 
cookery  soon  diverted  the  conversation  to  more  epicurean 
topics. 

But  the  interesting  subject  which  had  previously  engaged 
them  was  still  predominant  in  the  mind  of  Atherton,  and  fol- 
lowed him  even  to  the  retirement  of  his  own  apartment.  The 
incipient  predilection  which  he  had  imbibed  for  Miriam  Grey 
was  heightened  by  a  renewed  opportunity  of  seeing  and  con- 
versing with  her ;  and  the  undisguised  admiration  of  Calvert, 
which  seemed  to  set  every  competitor  at  defiance,  only  stimu- 
lated his  interest.  While  both  pride  and  affection  shrunk 
from  the  idea  of  yielding  to  his  claims,  or  being  superseded 
by  his  superior  address,  his  heart  became  insensibly  animated 
with  the  hope  of  success,  and  every  obstacle  served  only  to 
increase  the  ardor  of  his  pursuit.  The  religious  prejudices 
of  her  father,  and  perhaps  her  own,  Atherton  considered  but 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  159 

too  lightly,  and  in  spite  of  all  that  Captain  Standish  had  said, 
with  the  sophistry  of  love  he  persuaded  himself  that,  could 
he  win  her  affections,  it  would  be  easy  to  remove  every  doubt 
and  difficulty  from  her  mind.  He  remembered  the  happy 
union  of  his  parents,  which  their  difference  of  faith  had  never, 
for  an  instant,  interrupted ;  and  the  slight  barrier  of  a  creed 
appeared  to  him  too  vain  to  excite  any  serious  uneasiness. 
His  imagination  glowing  with  enchanting  hopes  and  visions 
of  happiness,  he  resigned  himself  to  repose,  and  in  sleep 
pursued  the  airy  dreams  which  had  occupied  his  waking 
thoughts. 

The  next  day  and  the  next  passed  away,  and  Major  Ather- 
ton  was  prevented  by  a  variety  of  circumstances  from  revisit- 
ing Plymouth ;  but  on  the  afternoon  of  the  third,  which  was 
Sunday,  he  recollected  to  have  been  particularly  edified  by  the 
preaching  of  Mr.  Reynal,  and  expressed  to  the  Captain  a 
wish  to  hear  him  again. 

'Just  as  you  please,  cousin  Atherton,' said  the  Captain, 
1  Mr.  Reynal  is  a  sound  and  orthodox  divine  ;  and  perhaps  his 
wholesome  doctrine  may  help  to  settle  your  doubts,  if  you 
have  any,  and  lead  you  into  the  right  way.  But  I  hope  be- 
fore long,  we  shall  have  a  worthy  minister  of  our  own  ;  it  is 
now  four  years  since  we  separated  from  the  church  of  Ply- 
mouth, and  in  all  that  time  we  have  had  only  the  prophesy- 
ings  and  exhortations  of  the  gifted  brethren,  for  our  public 
teaching.' 

Atherton  declined  the  Captain's  offer  of  his  best  horse, 
which  he  would  fain  have  pressed  into  his  service  ;  and  hav- 
ing become  well  accustomed  to  the  way,  he  walked  on  at  a 
brisk  pace,  and  reached  the  place  of  his  destination  just  as 
the  people  were  assembling  for  the  afternoon  service.  As  he 
mingled  with  the  congregation  who  were  ascending  the  hill 
leading  to  the  place  of  worship,  he  observed  Mr.  Calvert  at 
a  short  distance,  apparently  endeavoring  to  overtake  him. — 


160  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Atherton  did  not  wish  to  avoid  him ;  he  therefore  slackened 
his  pace,  and  in  a  moment  was  joined  by  Calvert. 

'  Really,  Major  Atherton,'  said  Calvert,  <  you  must  be  mar- 
velously  fond  of  exercise,  to  walk  hither  so  very  often.' 

'  And  you,'  returned  Atherton,  '  seem  equally  averse  to  it ; 
Captain  Standish  was  only  yesterday  remarking  on  your  long 
absence  from  his  house.' 

*  I  have  business  and  other  affairs  which  engage  my  time,' 
said  Calvert,  carelessly  ;  '  but  pray  tell  me,  Major  Atherton, 
if  you  have  turned  puritan  in  good  earnest  ?' 

'  Why  do  you  ask  me  that  question,  sir  ?  I  have  never 
avowed  any  deviation  from  the  principles  in  which  I  was  ed- 
ucated.' 

'  And  being  educated  by  parents  of  different  persuasions,' 
replied  Calvert,  '  you  were  probably  instructed  in  the  faith  of 
both,  and  feel  at  liberty  to  adopt  whichever  shall  suit  your  in- 
clination ;  at  present  you  seem  much  inclined  to  favor  the  re- 
ligion of  this  land.' 

'  I  have  ever  followed  the  faith  which  my  father  professed,' 
said  Atherton, '  though  I  am  not  so  bigoted  as  to  absent  my- 
self from  the  worship  of  those  who  differ  from  me.' 

'  It  is  a  good  rule,'  returned  Calvert,  with  a  smile  of  pecu- 
liar meaning,  '  to  conform  in  matters  of  such  trifling  impor- 
tance, and  doubtless  very  politic  in  certain  cases.' 

'  I  do  not  perfectly  comprehend  you,  sir,'  said  Ather- 
ton ;  « and  if  it  is  not  too  much  trouble,  must  beg  you  to  ex- 
plain.' 

'  Oh,  I  dislike  explanations  above  all  things,'  said  Calvert ; 
'  but  now  be  candid,  Major,  and  tell  me  if  you  really  came 
eight  miles  to  hear  good  Mr.  Reynal's  long  sermon,  or  to  catch 
a  stray  beam  from  certain  bright  eyes,  which  may  chance  to 
wander  this  way  ?  ' 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  161 

*  Probably,  sir,  you  judge  of  my  motives  '  from  your  own 
feelings  and  wishes,'  said  Atherton,  coloring  highly. 

'  Very  likely,'  returned  Calvert,  coolly,  '  and  I  know  of  no 
more  rational  way  of  judging  of  what  lies  beyond  our  obser- 
vation.' 

'In  that  case,'  said  Atherton,  'I  should  choose  to  know 
that  my  judge  was  a  man  of  correct  and  honorable  feel- 
ings.' 

'  Certainly,'  replied  Calvert ;  '  and  of  course  you  will  not 
dispute  my  pretentions  to  the  office,  though  I  never  set  my- 
self up  for  a  miracle  of  goodness,  as  some  officers  in  our  reg- 
iment did ;  there  was  Captain  R —  for  instance,  not  to  men- 
tion one  or  two  others.' 

'  I  believe  you  were  never  accused  of  raising  your  standard 
of  perfection  too  highly,'  said  Atherton. 

'  No,  I  hate  canting,  and  never  try  to  pass  for  better  than  I 
am,'  said  Calvert,  pointedly ;  '  except,'  he  added,  '  in  cases  of 
necessity  ;  for  instance,  here  we  are  at  the  entrance  of  the  tab- 
ernacle, and  must  strive  to  look  as  demure  as  possible ;  for  it 
is  as  much  the  fashion  to  wear  long  faces  in  a  puritan  meet- 
ing house,  as  it  is  to  practice  smiles  and  bows  at  court.' 

As  he  finished  speaking,  they  both  entered  the  house,  and 
accepted  of  seats  which  were  civilly  offered  them  near  the 
door.  A  moment  after  Mr.  Grey  and  his  family  came  in,  and 
passed  on  to  their  usual  places.  This  circumstance  seemed 
unnoticed  by  Calvert,  till  the  eagerness  with  which  the  eyes 
of  Atherton  pursued  them,  excited  a  transient  smile  ;  and  dur- 
ing the  remainder  of  the  services,  his  countenance  was  mark- 
ed by  a  gravity  which  might  have  passed  for  the  expression 
of  a  serious  and  devout  mind.  As  soon  as  the  congregation 
was  dismissed,  he  took  the  arm  of  Atherton,  who  was  dispos- 
ed to  linger  behind,  and  walked  to  the  bottom  of  the  hill 


162  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

with  him,  where  they  stopped  by  mutual,  though  tacit  con- 
sent. 

'  May  I  ask  what  direction  you  are  about  to  take  ?  '  said 
Mr.  Calvert. 

'  Home,  that  is  to  Captain  Standish's,'  replied  Atherton  ; — 
'  and  if  you  are  disposed  to  return  with  me,  I  will  promise 
you  a  welcome  reception  from  my  host.' 

'  Another  time  I  will  try  it,'  said  Calvert ;  '  but  now  I  am, 
going  to  our  friend  Mr.  Grey's,  and  will  make  you  the  tempt- 
i&g  offer  to  accompany  me  ;  now  do  not  say  you  have  no  wish 
to  go  there.' 

'''*!  shall  not,'  returned  Atherton;  'on  the  contrary,  it 
would  give  me  pleasure  ;  but  they  are  accustomed  to  keep 
this  day  so  sacred,  that  the  visit  of  a  stranger  might  not  be 
acceptable.' 

'  As  you  please,'  said  Calvert ;  '  but  I  have  never  been  re- 
ceived otherwise  than  graciously,  at  any  time.' 

'  If,'  said  Atherton,  '  you  can  suit  your  conversation  to  cir- 
cumstances, as  well  as  you  have  your  countenance  this  after- 
noon, I  am  not  surprised  at  their  forbearance.' 

'  Far  better,'  replied  Calvert.  '  I  discourse  of  theology 
with  the  father,  and  settle  all  controverted  points  to  his  full 
satisfaction ;  and  sing  psalms  with  the  daughter  and  niece, 
till  they  believe  me  on  the  point  of  abjuring  the  mother  church, 
with  all  her  pomps  and  ceremonies  ;  and  if  they  don't  end  by 
begging  me  to  crop  off  my  hair,  and  round  off  my  ears,  I  shall 
be  satisfied.' 

'  And  that  is  not  trying  to  appear  better  than  you  are,  is  it  ?' 
asked  Atherton. 

'  Not  better,  only  a  little  different,'  said  Calvert;  'besides, 
you  forgot  my  saving  clause,  and  this  is  a  case  of  necessity. 
But  hush  !  they  are  close  by  us,  even  now.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  163 

Atherton  looked  round,  and  saw  Miriam  and  Lois  Grey,  al- 
most at  his  side  ;  but  they  were  busily  engaged  in  conversa- 
tion, and  did  not  observe  them,  till  Miriam  accidentally  drop- 
ping her  handkerchief,  Atherton  and  Calvert,  at  the  same  in- 
stant, stooped  to  raise  it  from  the  ground.  The  latter  gained 
the  prize,  and  Miriam  received  it  from  his  hand  with  a  smile ; 
though  Atherton  fancied  a  still  brighter  one  animated  her  fea- 
tures, as  she  returned  his  salutation  ;  and  the  idea  lessened , 
the  mortification  of  his  defeat,  and  the  reluctance  he  felt  to 
part  from  her.  Calvert  bade  him  farewell,  with  an  air  of 
triumph,  which  seemed  to  say,  '  I  have  the  advantage  over 
you ;  '  and  Atherton,  conquering  a  strong  inclination  to  join 
them,  turned  into  another  direction,  and  was  soon  in  the 
well-known  path,  which  led  to  the  residence  of  Captain  Stan- 
dish. 


164  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

'  Ah !  si  vons  ponviez  comprendre 

Ce  que  je  ressens  pour  vous, 
L'amour  meme  n'a  rien  si  tendre, 

Ni  ramitie"  de  si  doux. 
Loin  de  vous,  mon  caeur  soupire, 

Pr4s  de  vous,  je  suis  interdit ; 
Voila  ce  que  j'ai  a  vous  dire, 
Helas  !  peut-etre,  ai  je  trop  dit !' 

ON  the  ensuing  week,  Major  Atherton  was  an  almost  daily 
visitant  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Grey.  Every  morning  he  found 
some  excuse  for  going  to  Plymouth ;  and  Captain  Standish, 
who  was  at  that  time  particularly  occupied  with  some  affairs 
of  his  own,  was  pleased  to  hear  of  his  kinsman's  frequent  en- 
gagements at  the  Governor's,  or  Mr.  Bradford's  ;  though  not 
always  aware  that  these  engagements'" were  concluded  in  the 
society  of  Miriam  Grey.  He  was  received  by  every  member 
of  the  family  with  the  utmost  cordiality ;  and  the  eloquent 
blushes  of  Miriam,  the  engaging  confidence  and  graceful 
timidity  which  alternately  marked  her  manner  towards  him, 
encouraged  his  hopes,  and  increased  the  attachment  he  cher- 
ished for  her  ;  which  became  deeper  and  stronger,  as  every 
interview  disclosed  to  him  some  new  charm  in  her  mind  and 
character.  There  was,  also,  enough  of  variety,  uncertainty 
and  doubt,  to  create  perplexity  and  induce  him  to  conceal  his 
sentiments,  till  more  fully  convinced  that  they  would  meet 
with  a  favorable  reception. 

The  conduct  of  Mr.  Calvert  was  well  calculated  to  render 
Atherton  mistrustful  of  Miriam's  affection ;  he  was  continu- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  165 

ally  near  her ;  and  Atherton  often  sighed  as  he  observed  her, 
with  apparent  pleasure,  enter  into  conversation  with  him, 
and  listen  to  his  descriptions  of  foreign  countries,  and  the  ad- 
ventures of  other  days,  which  he  had  always  at  command, 
and  possessed  the  pleasing  art  of  relating  with  a  spirit  and 
humor  that  could  not  fail  to  amuse. 

Atherton,  like  other  lovers,  was  ingenious  in  tormenting 
himself  with  visionary  fears,  and  too  little  skilled  in  the  fe- 
male heart,  to  detect  the  subtle  evasions  to  which  it  has 
recourse  to  conceal  an  acknowledged  prepossession  :  his  hopes 
were  constantly  fluctuating  ;  and  often  depressed  by  circum- 
stances, from  which,  with  more  experience,  he  would  have 
drawn  the  most  flattering  inferences.  Calvert  always  as- 
sumed the  aspect  of  a  favored  lover :  conscious  of  his 
advantages,  he  seemed  secure  of  conquest;  or,  if  at  any  time 
uncertain,  he  artfully  concealed  it,  and  wore  an  air  of  pre- 
sumption, from  which  the  more  delicate  and  honorable  mind 
of  Atherton  revolted.  He  was  evidently  no  stranger  to  the 
views  and  feelings  of  his  rival ;  but  he  appeared  totally  to 
disregard  them,  and  resolved  not  to  admit  the  possibility,  that 
he  could  become  a  successful  candidate  for  the  favor  of  his 
mistress.  His  manners  were  frank  and  careless  ;  but  Ather- 
ton, as  his  visits  became  more  frequent,  remarked  an  occa- 
sional caprice  and  coldness  ;  he  also  fancied  that  Mr.  Grey 
began  to  regard  the  attentions,  which  both  himself  and 
Calvert  directed  to  his  daughter,  with  a  suspicious  eye.  He 
had  no  wish  to  conceal  his  sentiments,  and  only  waited  for  a 
favorable  opportunity  to  disclose  them,  both  to  Miriam  and 
her  father. 

Atherton  called  at  the  house  one  evening,  and  was  not  dis- 
pleased, on  entering  the  parlor,  to  find  it  occupied  by  Miriam 
alone.  She  was  carelessly  reclining  in  a  huge  elbow-chair, 
with  her  eyes  fixed  on  the  blazing  fire,  which  glanced  brightly 


166  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

on  her  figure  and  countenance,  and  revealed  an  expression  of 
unusual  pensiveness.  Without  raising  her  eyes,  as  he  entered, 
she  continued  to  hum  the  air  of  a  tune  which  Atherton  had 
himself  taught  her,  and  of  which  he  was  particularly  fond, 
because  it  had  been  a  favorite  with  his  mother.  It  was  a 
beautiful  sacred  melody,  that  even  Mr.  Grey  approved  ;  and, 
though  the  flageolet  on  which  Atherton  played  with  uncom- 
mon skill,  was  not  of  puritanical  invention,  he  had  frequently 
listened  with  pleasure,  as  its  soft  melody  mingled  with  the 
sweet  and  rich  tones  of  his  daughter's  voice. 

Miriam  however  perceived  Atherton  even  sooner  than  he 
wished ;  and,  hastily  rising,  she  offered  him  a  seat,  saying 
with  a  smile, — 

'  Excuse  my  inattention,  sir,  but  I  thought  it  was  Lois 
who  entered.' 

'  And  you,  I  hope,'  said  Atherton,  '  will  forgive  my  inter- 
rupting the  reverie  which  you  seemed  to  be  enjoying.' 

'  The  interruption  is  quite  fortunate,'  returned  Miriam  ;  '  for 
I  was  at  that  moment  attempting  your  favorite  air,  and  need 
your  assistance  to  go  through  with  it.  I  fear  my  ear  must 
be  growing  dull,  for  I  never  made  so  much  discord  in  a 
simple  tune.' 

'  Mine  must  be  dull,  indeed,  if  you  did,'  said  Atherton,  «  for 
I  was  admiring  the  ease  and  correctness  with  which  you  sung 
it.  But  you  must  allow  me  to  hear  you  again,  in  order  to 
judge  which  of  us  is  mistaken.' 

'  If  you  will  accompany  me,'  replied  Miriam,  '  and  in  the 
mean  time,  some  lights  will  look  more  cheerful  than  this 
fitful  blaze.' 

'  They  will  spoil  this  pleasant  twilight,  which  is  the  most 
delightful  season  of  the  day,'  said  Atherton. 

He  took  the  flageolet  from  his  pocket  as  he  spoke,  and  Mir- 
iam, who  had  nearly  reached  the  door,  returned ;  and,  after 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  167 

stirring  the  fire  into  a  brighter  glow,  commenced  the  song, 
which  she  executed  without  a  single  false  note ;  though  the 
sound  of  the  instrument  often  died  away,  as  Atherton,  in 
listening  to  her,  seemed  fearful  that  the  softest  breath  might 
interrupt  the  harmony  which  she  created. 

Major  Atherton  was  at  all  times  strongly  alive  to  the 
charms  of  music ;  but  the  voice  of  Miriam  Grey  had  ac- 
quired an  influence  over  his  feelings,  at  which  he  was  often 
surprised,  yet  seldom  endeavored  to  resist.  As  soon  as  she 
had  finished,  he  rose  abruptly  from  his  chair,  and  for  several 
moments  paced  the  room  in  silence.  Miriam,  perplexed  at 
his  conduct,  regarded  him  almost  with  alarm ;  but  she  at 
length  ventured  to  say,  in  a  timid  accent, — 

'  I  fear  I  have  done  wrong,  Major  Atherton,  and  again,  un- 
fortunately awakened  some  painful  remembrances.' 

Atherton  suddenly  stopped,  and  advancing  towards  her, 
took  her  hand,  and  looking  earnestly  in  her  face,  replied, — 

You  do  wrong,  Miriam  ?  you  awaken  painful  remembrance  ? 
no,  believe  me  ; — when  with  you,  the  past  is  forgotten,  and 
my  presumptuous  hopes  dare  to  image  scenes  of  future  hap- 
piness, which  your  smiles  have  encouraged,  and  your  lips 
alone  can  sanction.' 

Miriam,  in  silent  confusion,  averted  her  blushing  face  from 
his  ardent  gaze  ;  but,  as  he  eagerly  watched  the  variations  of 
her  countenance,  the  brilliant  glow  faded  into  a  deadly  pale- 
ness, and  with  a  look  of  alarm,  she  hastily  withdrew  her 
hand,  which  he  still  retained  within  his  own.  Atherton  fol- 
lowed the  direction  of  her  eyes,  and  with  a  start  of  surprise, 
beheld  Mr.  Grey,  who  had  entered  unperceived,  standing 
with  folded  arms,  and  regarding  them  with  severe  and  fixed 
attention.  Atherton  instantly  recovered  his  self-possession, 
and  with  the  calmness  of  conscious  integrity,  awaited  the 
expected  reproof.  But  Mr.  Grey,  after  the  first  scrutiny,  re- 


168  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

sumed  his  usual  gravity,  and  taking  a  chair,  he  coolly 
said, — 

' 1  would  not  interrupt  you,  Major  Atherton  ;  you  would 
doubtless  say  nothing  to  my  daughter,  which  may  not  reach 
my  ear,  also.' 

« By  no  means,  sir ;'  returned  Atherton  ;  '  and  I  have  long 
wished  for  an  opportunity  to  explain  myself  on  a  subject, 
which  nearly  concerns  my  happiness.' 

'  It  is  a  subject  to  which  I  may  not  listen,'  said  Mr.  Grey. 
'  You-ng  man,'  he  added,  emphatically ;  '  you  have  gained 
my  esteem,  and  I  owe  you  a  debt  of  gratitude,  which  can 
never  be  canceled ;  yet  my  religion  and  my  principles  are 
more  precious  unto  me,  than  the  gratification  of  any  worldly 
feelings,  the  enjoyment  of  any  temporal  pleasure  ; — even  than 
the  earthly  happiness  of  my  child.  Deceive  not  yourself, 
therefore,  with  the  vain  belief,  that  I  shall  sacrifice  my  duty 
to  the  idle  wishes  of  an  indiscreet  and  youthful  passion.' 

Mr.  Grey  spoke  with  mildness,  but  in  a  tone  of  decision, 
which  chilled  the  ardent  hopes  of  Atherton,  who  was  about 
to  answer,  and  plead  his  suit,  with  the  earnestness  of  passion- 
ate feeling,  when  a  glance  of  entreaty  from  Miriam,  checked 
his  utterance ;  and  the  entrance  of  Lois  Grey,  at  the  same 
moment,  determined  him  to  defer  the  conversation  till  a  more 
fitting  time.  He  was,  however,  too  much  disturbed  to  enter 
into  general  discourse,  and  soon  after  took  his  leave  ;  de- 
pressed in  spirits  by  his  unexpected  repulse,  though  still  re- 
solved to  bear  up  against  all  difficulties,  and  if  possible,  to 
overcome  them. 

Mr.  Grey,  after  the  departure  of  Atherton,  remained  a 
few  moments  absorbed  by  his  own  reflections ;  and  then  seat- 
ing himself  by  his  daughter's  side,  he  fixed  his  eyes  upon  her 
as  if  searching  her  inmost  thoughts. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  169 

1  Why  do  you  look  at  me  so  earnestly,  sir  ?  '  asked  Miriam, 
endeavoring  to  shake  off  the  embarrassment  which  his  man- 
ner, combined  with  recent  circumstances,  had  caused. 

'  I  have  ever  been  accustomed,  Miriam,'  he  replied, '  to  read 
in  your  countenance  the  feelings  of  your  heart  ;  I  would 
learn,  if  I  may  still  rely  on  it,  and  expect  your  confidence.' 

'  Can  you  doubt  it  ?  '  said  Miriam  ;  '  till  I  have  once  de- 
ceived you,  father,  you  cannot,  ought  not,  to  suspect  me.' 

'  I  do  not,  my  child.  Major  Atherton,  too,  is  candid,  and 
he  has  not  sought  to  disguise  his  sentiments,  which  were  ap- 
parent to  me,  even  before  the  events  of  this  day.' 

'Dear  father,'  said  Miriam,  deeply  blushing,  '  you  mistake  ; 
he  has  not,  he  only ' 

'  I  will  spare  your  blushes,  Miriam,'  interrupted  Mr.  Grey. 
'  It  is  not  my  intention  to  question  you  concerning  what  he 
said ;  though  had  I  not  unexpectedly  heard  his  words,  the 
confusion  which  my  presence  excited  could  not  be  mistaken.' 

'  You  regard  the  subject  too  seriously,  sir.  I  beg  it  may  not 
occasion  you  one  moment  of  anxiety.' 

'  Did  it  concern  you  less  deeply,  Miriam,  it  would  not;  but 
the  dread  that  your  affections  may  become  engaged  to  one 
with  whom  you  can  have  no  connection,  has  already  given  me 
muoh  uneasiness.' 

'  I  trust  my  inclination  will  never  render  me  forgetful  of  my 
duty,'  said  Miriam  ;  but  less  firmly  than  she  had  before 
spoken. 

'  Most  fervently  do  I  hope  so,'  returned  Mr.  Grey,  again  re- 
garding her  with  attention;  'and  I  place  much  confidence, 
Miriam,  in  the  strength  and  rectitude  of  your  principles  ' 

'  I  do  not  think  they  will  be  tried,  very  severely,  in  this  in- 
stance,' said  Miriam,  smiling. 

'  Take  heed,  lest  you  fall  into  a  snare  through  presumption 
and  vain   self-confidence,  Miriam,'  said  her  father.     '  I  have 
15 


170  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

forewarned  you  of  the  danger,  and  it  remains  with  you  to 
avoid  or  overcome  it.' 

'  I  know  not  how  to  avoid  it,'  said  Miriam,  gravely ;  '  but  it 
is  written,  "  Resist  the  devil,  and  he  will  flee  from  you  ;  "  and 
I  think,  father,  Major  Atherton  cannot  prove  more  irresistible 
than  he.' 

'  If  you  rely  on  your  own  strength  alone,  Miriam,  you  may 
find  too  late,  that  you  have  "  leaned  on  a  broken  reed." ' 

'  Dear  father.'  said  Miriam,  archly,  '  do  you  think  Major 
Atherton  so  very  attractive,  that  I  cannot  ee  him,  without 
danger  of  admiring  him,  more  than  you  approve  ? ' 

'  You  know  that  I  regard  him  highly,  Miriam  ;  and,  in  his 
outward  conduct,  since  he  has  sojourned  amongst  us,  have 
seen  much  to  commend ;  but  had  there  been  less,  I  would  not 
withhold  my  gratitude  from  the  preserver  of  my  child.' 

'  And  has  not  that  entitled  him  to  my  esteem  and  grati- 
tude, likewise  ? '  asked  Miriam,  with  emotion. 

'  Most  assuredly  it  has  j '  said  Mr.  Grey,  '  nevertheless, 
Miriam,  we  do  endanger  our  faith,  by  holding  familiar  inter- 
course with  the  zealots  of  a  perverse  and  anti-christian  church ; 
with  whom  we  are  commanded  to  have  no  fellowship,  but 
rather  to  reprove  them ;  except,  as  the  Apostle  doubtless 
meant,  so  far  as  the  laws  of  hospitality  and  courtesy  shall  re- 
quire.' 

'  But,  sir,  we  know  that  Major  Atherton  has  been  taught  to 
respect  our  opinions,  and  even  imbibed  from  his  mother  a  preju- 
dice in  their  favor ;  and,  at  all  times  he  has  cheerfully  con- 
formed to  our  customs,  and  devoutly  joined  in  our  worship.' 

'  We  can  place  no  dependence,  my  child,  on  an  outward 
conformity,  without  some  evidence  of  a  willing  spirit,  and 
this  external  reverence  is  most  likely  to  mislead  your  inexpe- 
rience and  conceal  the  real  danger.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  171 

'Dear  father,'  said  Miriam,  earnestly;  'you  shall  find  I  am 
not  so  very  weak  and  irresolute,  but  that,  though  only  a  timid 
girl,  I  possess  some  portion  of  the  resolution  which  enabled 
you  to  endure  and  overcome  so  much,  for  the  establishment 
of  that  pure  religion  which  you  have  taught  me,  by  precept 
and  example,  to  prize  so  highly.  No,'  she  added  with  a 
blush; — 'even  should  your  fears  be  realized,  I  could  never 
become  an  apostate  from  the  faith  which  I  have  received  from 
you.' 

'  Continue  to  value  it  more  dearly  than  your  life,'  said  Mr. 
Grey ;  '  and  never  for  an  instant,  place  it  in  competition  with 
any  earthly  passion.  However  firm,  however  sincere,  you 
may  now  feel  yourself  to  be,  believe  me  there  would  be  no  se- 
curity for  your  principles  if  the  sophistry  of  love  were  united 
with  the  perverse,  but  plausible  arguments  which  the  sons  of 
prelacy  can  so  well  command  and  urge  for  their  subversion.' 

'  And  do  you  believe,  father,  that  the  truth  can  so  readily 
yield  to  error  and  falsehood  ?  ' 

'  Women  are  born  to  submit,'  returned  Mr.  Grey  ;  'and  as 
the  weaker  vessel,  it  is  meet  they  should  be  guided  by  those 
who  have  rule  over  them.  I  well  know  how  easily  they  be- 
come converts  to  such  as  they  regard  with  affection.  Your 
mother,  Miriam,  was  wandering  in  the  mazes  of  error  when 
I  first  beheld  her  ;  and  though  Providence  was  pleased  to  give 
me  favor  in  her  eyes,  and  to  make  me  the  instrument  of  pluck- 
ing h^r,  as  a  brand  from  the  burning  ;  yet  but  for  the  love 
which  she  bore  me,  she  would  probably  have  lived  and  died 
in  the  bosom  of  an  idolatrous  church.' 

'  You  were  armed  with  the  weapons  of  truth,'  said  Miri- 
am, '  and  she  could  not  resist  their  force  ;  but  you  will  not, 
father,  deny  the  influence  of  our  sex.  If  the  entreaties  of  Da- 
lilah  could  subdue  Samson,  how  much  more  powerful  must 
be  the  arguments  of  religion  from  the  lips  of  a  virtuous  wo- 


172  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

man.  Even  the  Apostle  saith,  "  The  believing  wife  shall  sanc- 
tify the  unbelieving  husband." ' 

'  It  may  have  been  so,  my  daughter ;  but  the  same  Apostle 
also  saith,  "  Be  ye  not  yoked  together  with  unbelievers  ;  " — 
which  is  but  to  provoke  the  displeasure  of  Heaven,  and  incur 
its  judgments  as  did  the  children  of  Israel,  when  they  took 
them  wives  from  the  daughters  of  the  land.' 

'  Yet,  father,  did  not  Moses  marry  an  Ethiopian  woman  ? 
and  was  not  Miriam,  the  prophetess,  reproved,  and  smitten 
with  leprosy,  because  she  spake  evil  against  it !  ' 

'  That  cannot  be  an  ensample  to  us,'  said  Mr.  Grey, — '  to 
whom  the  Lord  doth  not,  as  unto  his  servant  Moses,  speak 
face  to  face  ;  and  though  your  temporal  happiness  is  most  dear 
to  me,  Miriam,  never  could  I  consent  to  promote  it  by  permit- 
ting your  union  with  one,  who  might  endanger  your  eternal 
interests  by  leading  you  to  trust  in  baseless  ceremonies  and  to 
bow  down  to  the  graven  images  of  Episcopacy.' 

'  Fear  not  for  me,  father,'  said  Miriam  ;  '  I  have  at  present 
no  wish  to  change  my  situation  ;  and  if  I  ever  shall  be  in- 
duced to  quit  you,  it  must  be  with  your  free  consent,  your 
full  and  decided  approbation.' 

'  I  fully  trust  your  word,  Miriam  ;  yet  I  wish  not,  like  un- 
happy Jephtha,  to  bind  my  daughter  to  a  state  of  celibacy. 
I  would  rather  urge  you  to  increase  your  usefulness  by  a  wor- 
thy choice,  and  like  a  true  "  mother  in  Israel,"  faithfully  dis- 
charge the  duties  of  your  sex  and  station  ;  that  before  my 
eyes  are  closed,  I  may  have  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  my 
descendants  rising  up  to  honor  and  advance  those  civil  and 
religious  institutions,  of  which  we,  "  through  much  tribula- 
tion," have  laid  the  "  foundation  stone."  ' 

Miriam  made  no  reply  ;  and  after  a  few  moments  of  un- 
broken silence,  Mr.  Grey  resumed  the  discourse. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  173 

'  I  feel  my  heart  eased  of  a  heavy  burthen  by  this  conver- 
sation with  you,  Miriam  ;  and  in  the  strengthened  conviction 
that  you  have  sufficient  discretion  and  virtue  to  direct  you,  I 
shall  commence  my  voyage  with  more  resolution,  and  feel  the 
pain  of  parting  from  you  less  severe.' 

'  If  I  could  be  permitted  to  go  with  you  ! '  said  Miriam ; 
'  indeed,  father,  I  cannot  reconcile  myself  to  the  thought  of  a 
separation  ;  but  I  can  submit  to  any  thing  if  you  will  only 
take  me  with  you.' 

'  It  is  impossible,'  said  Mr.  Grey  :  « the  difficulties  of  the 
voyage,  the  persecutions  which  still  await  our  devoted  sect, — 
every  thing  forbids  it.  You  must  remain  here,  Miriam, 
and  strive  not  to  indulge  any  anxious  thoughts  or  repining 
wishes.' 

'  But  so  many  long  months  must  pass  away  before  you  will 
return,  father !  and  till  now  you  have  never  gone  from  me 
scarcely  for  one  short  week.' 

'  The  time  will  fly  swiftly,  my  child,  though  it  seems  long  in 
looking  forward  ;  and  with  your  cousin  Lois,  who  has  ever 
been  dear  as  a  sister  to  you,  it  cannot  pass  unhappily.  I  feel 
comforted  in  leaving  you  with  her ;  she  is  older  and  more  ex- 
perienced than  yourself,  and  fully  competent  to  advise  you  in 
every  circumstance  and  situation.' 

'  But  Lois  will  soon  have  other  claims  on  her  affection,' 
said  Miriam ;  '  and  I  begin  already  to  fear  that  Mr.  Weldon 
will  engross  more  than  his  share.' 

'  You  need  have  no  fear  on  that  subject,  Miriam,'  said  Lois, 
who  had  hitherto  remained  silent.  '  I  think  my  heart  is  large 
enough  to  contain  more  than  one  object  of  affection.' 

'  But  there  is  one  whom  I  need  not  name,  Miriam,'  said 
Mr.  Grey,  with  some  hesitation,  '  whose  heart  has  long  been 
bound  to  you  ;  and  I  would  fain  see  you  disposed  to  reward 
his  faithful  love  with  the  favor  it  has  merited.' 


174  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'  Indeed,  father,'  said  Miriam,  '  I  would  be  contented  with 
the  smallest  corner  of  Lois's  heart,  rather  than  to  possess  the 
whole  of  his.' 

'  You  always  speak  lightly  on  this  subject,  Miriam  ;  yet  you 
know  it  is  one  which  I  have  long  regarded  with  satisfaction  ; 
and  I  do  still  hope  that  you  will  not  always  remain  willfully 
blind  to  the  excellent  qualities  of  master  Ashly.' 

*  Now  do  not  call  me  a  stubborn  girl,  father ;  but  in  truth  I 
cannot  value  his  goodness  as  it  deserves  ;  and  it  would  be  un- 
just for  me  to  snatch  the  prize  from  some  maiden  more  en- 
amored of  his  worth.' 

'  Bring  forth  your  "  strong  reasons,"  Miriam,  and  tell  me 
what  you  particularly  object  to  in  him.' 

'  Nothing  in  particular,  but  every  thing,  in  general ;  for- 
give me,  father,  but  he  has  really  no  one  quality,  which  I 
should  call  agreeable.' 

'  And  is  piety  and  sincerity  nothing  ?  '  asked  Mr.  Grey  ; 
'  are  integrity  and  uprightness  of  character  so  very  disagree- 
able ? ' 

'  No,  indeed,  father  ;  but  I  would  choose  a  companion  who 
has  a  lighter  heart  and  less  solemn  countenance,  to  lead  me 
through  the  journey  of  life;  I  fear  I  should  tire  of  virtue 
itself,  if  always  before  my  eyes  in  so  ungentle  a  form.  Mas- 
ter Ashly  is  so  image-like  withal ;  that  though  in  no  danger 
of  worshiping  him,  I  might  possibly  commit  the  sin  of  con- 
verting him  into  a  laughing-stock.' 

'  You  cannot  object  to  his  person,  Miriam,'  said  Mr.  Grey, 
with  an  air  of  displeasure  ;  '  the  youth  is  well-favored,  and 
tall  and  comely  as  a  cedar  of  Lebanon.' 

'  Yes,  quite  tall  enough,'  returned  Miriam  ;  '  and,  as  Cap- 
tain Standish  once  said,  as  stiff  as  the  ramrod  of  his  musket. 
Cousin  Lois,'  continued  the  laughing  damsel,  '  did  it  ever 
strike  you  that  Mistress  Rebecca  Spindle  would  make  a  suit- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  175 

able  help-mate  for  him  ?  a  little  too  ancient  perhaps,  but  oth- 
erwise far  better  qualified  than  myself;  and  it  may  be  less  in- 
clined to  shun  so  advantageous  an  alliance.' 

'  You  are  strangely  perverse,  Miriam ; '  said  Mr.  Grey ; 
'  but  I  cannot  suffer  my  worthy  young  friend  to  be  thus  trifled 
with  ;  you  must  be  unaccountably  prejudiced,  or  else  prepos- 
sessed in  favor  of  some  other.  I  hope  Mr.  Calvert  has  not 
caused  you  to  misprise  our  plain  New-England  youths.' 

'  No,  sir ; '  replied  Miriam ;  '  Mr.  Calvert  is  very  well  in 
his  way  ;  but  he  wants  some  of  Benjamin  Ashly's  rare  qual- 
ities. I  would  choose  a  man  more  like, — like  myself,  father, 
with  just  a  pleasant  mixture  of  the  good  and  agreeable.' 

'  And  the  evil,  you  should  add,  child,'  said  her  father,  smil- 
ing. 

'I  left  that  for  you,  father;  and  rightly  judged  that  you 
would  not  forget  the  addition.' 

As  she  finished  speaking,  Mr.  Calvert  entered  the  room ; 
he  was  less  animated  than  usual,  and  seemed  inclined  to  re- 
main silent  and  thoughtful. 

'  You  are  unusually  serious  to-night,  Mr.  Calvert,'  said 
Miriam  ;  '  and  look  like  the  bearer  of  ill-tidings ;  pray  let  us 
hear  quickly  if  you  have  any  thing  to  communicate.' 

'  I  have  nothing  to  tell,  nothing  at  all,'  replied  Calvert. 

'  Are  you  unwell  then?  '  asked  Lois  Grey. 

'  No,  but  to  tell  you  the  truth,'  he  said  with  an  air  of  frank- 
ness, '  I  am  rather  out  of  temper.' 

.'  Oh,  if  that  is  all,  we  need  not  be  alarmed,'  said  Miriam  ; 
'  it  is  not  often  a  fatal  malady,  though  I  understand  it  is  a 
very  common  one  in  warm  climates.' 

'But  the  climate  does  not  justify  the  offence,'  said  Mrj 
Grey,  <  and  the  scripture  saith,  "  He  that  ruleth  his  spirit  is 
better  than  he  that  taketh  a  city,"  ' 


176  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

«I  find  I  must  justify  myself  at  all  events,'  returned  Cal- 
vert,  '  though  it  is  a  foolish  affair,  and  not  worth  mentioning. 
I  met  Major  Atherton  as  he  came  from  here  just  now,  and  he 
seemed  in  a  very  ill-humor,  and  resolved  to  quarrel  with  me ; 
but  I  was  fortunate  enough  to  calm  him,  and  save  myself  from 
being  run  through  with  his  sword.' 

Calvert  observed  the  complexion  of  Miriam  vary  as  he 
spoke  ;  and  Mr.  Grey  in  a  tone  of  real  concern  inquired, 

'  And  what  was  the  occasion  of  all  this,  sir  ? ' 

'  I  really  cannot  tell,'  said  Calvert ;  '  it  seemed  to  arise  from 
a  mere  trifle,  and  I  attributed  it  to  some  circumstance  which 
had  taken  place  here.' 

1 1  thought,'  replied  Mr.  Grey,  '  that  Major  Atherton  had 
better  principles  and  more  command  over  his  passions  than  to 
engage  so  lightly  in  a  quarrel.' 

'  As  to  that,  sir,'  said  Calvert,  carelessly,  '  you  know  we 
of  the  church  are  not  all  of  us  so  strict  as  perhaps  we 
should  be ;  and  the  Major  has  been  in  the  army  quite  long 
enough  to  acquire  high  notions  of  honor  and  a  love  of  fight- 
ing.' 

'  I  will  speak  to  him  touching  this  matter,'  said  Mr.  Grey. 
'  A  word  in  season  is  "  like  apples  of  gold  in  pictures  of  sil- 
ver," and  a  friendly  admonition  perchance  may  prove  of  ser- 
vice to  him.' 

'I  think,  sir,'  said  Calvert,  'it  can  be  of  no  avail,  and  all 
will  be  forgotten  between  us  in  a  few  days.  Major  Atherton 
is  hasty,  but  not  ill-disposed,  and  it  is  very  possible  I  may 
have  said  something  to  vex  him.' 

After  this  apparent  frank  apology  and  concession,  which 
were  certainly  calculated  to  set  his  own  disposition  in  a  favor- 
able point  of  view,  Mr.  Calvert  immediately  changed  the  con- 
versation. He  hoped  he  had  said  sufficient  to  impress  the 
mind  of  Ms.  Grey  unfavorably  towards  Atherton,  whose 


PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  177 

growing  intimacy  in  the  family  he  viewed  with  jealousy,  and 
began  to  entertain  serious  apprehensions  that  he  would  event- 
ually interfere  with  his  plans,  and  supersede  him  in  the  affec- 
tions of  Miriam. 


178  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

Slunk  from  the  cavern,  and  the  troubled  wood, 
See  the  grim  wolf;  on  him  his  shaggy  foe 
Vindictive  fix,  and  let  the  ruffian  die. 

THOMSON. 

MAJOR  ATBERTON  had  quitted  the  house  of  Mr.  Grey  with 
feelings  of  chagrin  and  disappointment  more  keen  than 
he  had  ever  before  experienced.  It  was  true,  in  the  blushing 
confusion  of  Miriam  he  had  read  nothing  to  reprove  his  pre- 
sumption, or  discourage  his  hopes ;  but  the  language  of  her 
father,  too  plain  to  be  misunderstood,  convinced  him  that  he 
would  never  sanction  the  marriage  of  his  daughter  with  one 
whom  he  considered  willfully  bound  in  the  fetters  of  error  and 
superstition ;  and  under  such  circumstances  he  could  scarcely 
expect  or  even  wish  to  attach  the  affections  or  receive  the  hand 
of  Miriam.  These  thoughts  engaged  his  mind  as  he  slowly 
retraced  his  steps  from  the  door,  which  he  had  recently  en- 
tered with  very  different  feelings ;  and  his  hand  yet  rested  on 
the  wicket,  and  his  eyes  lingered  on  the  casement  still  faintly 
lighted  by  the  blazing  fire  within,  when  he  was  startled  by  a 
slight  touch  upon  his  shoulder,  and  turning  quickly  round,  he 
saw  Mr.  Calvert  standing  by  his  side. 

'What  is  your  will  with  me,  sir?  '  asked  Atherton,  in  a 
tone  of  impatience  which  he  could  not  at  the  moment  re- 
press. 

'  To  pass  through  the  gate  when  you  see  proper  to  quit 
your  hold  of  it,'  said  Calvert  in  his  usual  careless  manner. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  179 

'  It  is  entirely  at  your  service  now ; '  returned  Atherton, 
with  recovered  composure.  '  I  was  not  aware  that  I  detained 
you  from  entering ; '  and  at  the  same  time  he  threw  open  the 
gate  and  walked  on. 

Calvert  deliberately  closed  it  and  followed  him. 

'  We  will  let  it  rest  for  the  present,'  he  said,  '  though  I  ap- 
prehended  just  now  you  were  about  to  bear  it  away  as  Sam- 
son did  the  doors  of  the  Philistines.  This  seems  a  favorite 
spot  with  you,  Major ;  it  is  not  the  first  time  1  have  found 
you  lingering  about  it.' 

'  You  do  me  great  honor,  sir, '  replied  Atherton,  'by  inter- 
esting yourself  so  warmly  in  my  concerns  ;  am  I  to  under- 
stand that  you  have  become  a  spy  upon  my  actions  ?  or  do  I 
interrupt  your  own  walks  and  arrangements  ?  ' 

'  A  little  of  both,'  returned  Calvert.  '  As  to  the  first,  you 
well  know  it  is  desirable  to  learn  the  force  and  position  of  an. 
adversary  whom  one  may  be  called  to  engage ;  and  for  the 
second,  I  believe  we  are  both  drawn  hither  by  the  same  attrac- 
tion, and  it  is  a  pity  our  plans  should  interfere.' 

'  I  have  no  wish  to  enter  into  competition  with  you,  sir,' 
said  Atherton,  haughtily  ;  '  and  may  I  ask,  how  long  I  am  to 
be  favored  with  your  company  ?  ' 

«  So  long  as  we  shall  find  it  mutually  convenient  and  agree- 
able,' replied  Calvert. 

'  You  will  then  excuse  my  saying,  it  is  now  time  that  we 
should  part,'  returned  Atherton. 

'  Certainly,'  said  Calvert,  with  provoking  sangfroid  ;  '  but 
as  all  loyal  subjects  of  our  good  king,  are  privileged  to  walk 
in  his  highway,  I  shall  take  the  liberty  of  going,  wherever  it 
suits  my  pleasure.' 

The  manner,  even  more  than  the  words  of  Calvert,  irritated 
the  already  harrassed  feelings  of  Atherton,  and  stopping  ab- 
ruptly, he  said, — 


180  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

4 I  would  counsel  you,  to  keep  at  my  sword's  length,  sir,  or 
you  may  have  cause  to  repent  of  your  temerity ;'  and  as  he 
spoke,  he  laid  his  hand  on  the  hilt  of  his  weapon. 

4  Nay,'  said  Calvert,  composedly,  '  If  two  cannot  walk 
without  falling  out  by  the  way,  it  is  indeed  time  to  separate. 
If  this  should  reach  the  long-eared  generation  of  Puritans,  we 
might  be  put  in  the  stocks ;  or  perhaps  be  degraded  from  the 
title  of  gentlemen,  which  is  a  marvelously  ingenious  punish- 
ment of  their  own  invention,  for  the  special  correction  of  all 
naughty,  grown-up  boys.' 

4  And  perhaps  deserve  it,  too  ;'  returned  Atherton,  almost 
instantly  repenting  of  his  haste.  '  I  have  no  wish  to  signal- 
ize my  courage  in  a  foolish  quarrel  with  you ;  and,  if  I  mis- 
take not,  yours  was  sufficiently  tested,  by  a  duel,  some  few 
years  since.' 

4  Yes,'  replied  Calvert ;  '  and  my  sword  is  still  of  the  same 
good  metal,  and  entirely  at  your  service.  Meet  me  in  Vir- 
ginia, England,  or  even  here,  when  I  am  the  husband,  or  re- 
jected lover  of  Miriam  Grey,  and  we  will  try  our  skill  on  the 
most  friendly  terms  ;  but  a  rupture,  at  present,  would  at  once 
destroy  all  hopes  of  success.' 

*  Neither  now  or  ever,  shall  I  meet  you  in  that  way  ; '  said 
Atherton ;  '  and  I  should  despise  myself,  were  I  capable  of 
harboring  a  revengeful  purpose,  and  delayed  the  execution, 
from  motives  of  policy,  or  through  the  mean  hypocrisy  of  ap- 
pearing better  than  I  am.' 

4  In  plain  words,'  replied  Calvert,  '  you  would  say  that  you 
despise  me  ;  I  admire  sincerity,  above  all  things,  Major,  and 
thank  you,  heartily,  for  your  opinion ;  but  to  be  consistent, 
methinks,  you  should  fly  into  a  passion  with  the  fair  Miriam, 
as  you  have  with  me  ;  it  would  impress  her  quite  differently 
from  the  sweet  melody  of  your  flageolet.' 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  181 

'  Perhaps  I  shall,  when  she  uses  the  insulting  language 
which  you  have  holden  to  me,'  said  Atherton,  with  difficulty 
bridling  his  indignation. 

'  As  to  that,'  replied  Calvert,  '  if  you  can  obtain  her  hand, 
trust  me,  you  will  be  enough  favored  with  such  music  ;  these 
sweet-tempered  damsels,  are  mighty  apt  to  become  shrews, 
when  galled  with  the  yoke  of  matrimony.' 

'  If  such  are  your  ideas,'  said  Atherton, '  I  wonder  you  should 
court  an  evil,  which  it  is  so  easy  to  avoid.' 

4  One  cannot  well  do  without  a  wife,  '  returned  Calvert  ; 
'  and  it  is  meet  to  choose  from  among  the  fairest  and  most 
promising,  to  render  the  condition  as  easy  as  possible ;  and 
you  will  allow,  Major,  that  a  little  timely  competition,  is  a 
wonderful  stimulant  in  seeking  such  an  one.  I  shall  really 
think  myself  irresistible,  if  my  simple  eloquence  prevails 
against  you,  aided  as  you  are  by  that  bewitching  musical  pipe, 
whose  silver  tones,  reached  my  ears  just  now,  as  you  tuned  it 
to  your  mistress'  praise.' 

'  You  can  have  been  in  waiting  at  the  gate  no  short  time,' 
said  Atherton,  'to  have  heard  what  passed  within  so  long  be- 
fore I  met  with  you.' 

'  I  was  listening  in  silent  admiration,'  said  Calvert,  '  even 
as  the  trees  and  stones  of  old,  did  to  the  lyre  of  Orpheus  ;  but 
that  heathenish  comparison  would  be  thought  downright  here- 
sy here.  I  should  say,  like  unto  Saul,  who  was  charmed  by 
the  harp  of  David,  when  he  played  with  his  hand  skilfully  be- 
fore him.' 

'  And  the  evil  spirit  was  not  laid  in   either  case  it   would 
seem,'  said  Atherton  ;  '  but  I  should   think  you  would  have 
been  more  comfortable,  seated  by  a   cheerful  fire,  on  such   a 
chilly  night  as  this.' 
16 


182  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

*  I  was  unwilling  to  interrupt  a  delightful  scene,'  returned 
Calvert ;  '  a  forbearance  which  you  would  doubtless  exercise, 
in  similar  circumstances.' 

'  I  have  certainly  given  you  strong  proofs  of  my  forbear- 
ance this  evening,'  replied  Atherton. 

'  Admirable  !'  said  Calvert,  ironically ;  '  so  I  will  no  longer 
oblige  you  to  exercise  it,  but  take  your  vacant  seat  by  the  side 
of  Miriam,  and  try  to  dispel  the  fascination  which  your  mu- 
sic may  have  thrown  around  her.  Indeed,  Major,  that  is  love's 
own  language,  and  gives  you  a  decided  advantage  over  me, 
I  tell  you  frankly,  I  shall  exert  myself  to  counteract  its  influ- 
ence.' 

4  You  will  keep  within  the  limits  of  truth,  and  honor,  I 
trust,'  returned  Atherton. 

'  Of  course,'  said  Calvert ;  '  I  think  I  shall  have  no  occasion 
to  resort  to  stratagem,  though  you  know,  it  is  always  consid- 
ered allowable  in  love  and  war.  So  good  night  to  you ;  and 
may  pleasant  dreams — but  not  of  Miriam  Grey — hover  round 
your  bed.' 

Atherton  parted  from  him,  with  a  hearty  good  will,  and  a 
firm  resolution,  to  avoid  as  much  as  possible  so  troublesome  a 
companion  for  the  future;  and  he  also  resolved  during  his 
long  walk,  to  abstain  for  a  time  at  least,  from  the  dangerous 
society  of  Miriam  Grey. 

But  the  following  morning  was  so  mild  and  brilliant,  that 
Major  Atherton  was  strongly  tempted  to  resume  his  pedestri- 
an habits ;  and,  though  still  determined  to  shun  the  presence 
of  Miriam  Grey,  he  was  soon  after  breakfast,  far  advanced  on 
the  road  to  Plymouth.  He  had  gained  the  midst  of  the  woods, 
through  which  his  path  lay,  when  he  heard  the  sound  of  sev- 
eral voices,  and  particularly  distinguished  that  of  Peregrine 
White,  which  rose  above  the  others  ;  and  in  an  instant  the 
young  man  perceived  and  called  to  him. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  183 

'  You  are  the  very  person  I  was  seeking,'  he  exclaimed, 
springing  over  the  under-brush  to  meet  him  ;  '  and  now  you 
make  good  the  old  proverb,  "  the  devil  is  always  nearest  when 
you  are  speaking  of  him."  ' 

'  I  thank  you  for  the  flattering  comparison,'  said  Atherton  ; 
'  but  why  is  my  presence  so  much  desired,  just  now?  You 
seern  to  have  a  goodly  band  of  attendants,  already,  and  collect- 
ed for  some  warlike  purpose,  I  should  judge  from  their  ap- 
pearance.' 

As  he  was  speaking  half  a  dozen  young  men  joined  them, 
all  armed  with  muskets,  among  whom  were  Mr.  Calvert  and 
Benjamin  Ashly. 

'  We  will  choose  you  for  our  leader,  Major  Atherton,'  said 
Peregrine  White,  '  so  put  yourself  at  our  head,  and  give  the 
word  of  command.' 

'  Perhaps  we  shall  not  all  obey  it,'  said  Calvert ;  '  and  I,  for 
my  part,  nominate  Mr.  Ashly  for  Captain  General.' 

'  I  am  a  man  of  peace,'  replied  Ashly,  '  and  unused  to  wield 
the  weapons  of  carnal  warfare  ;  being  called  only  to  maintain 
a  strife  with  the  foes  that  are  within  me.' 

'  You  must  be  a  valiant  warrior  if  you  can  keep  them  all  in 
subjection,' said  Peregrine  White;  'I  would  rather  under- 
take to  conquer  a  whole  tribe  of  Indians.' 

'  But  what  enemy  are  we  to  attack,  now  ?'  asked  Atherton, 
1  is  it  visible  or  invisible,  man  or  beast?' 

'  Nothing  more  or  less,  than  a  half-starved  wolf,'  returned 
Peregrine,  '  which  has  taken  up  his  abode  in  these  woods,  and 
having,  probably,  heard  of  Master  Ashly's  hospitable  disposi- 
tion, and  finding  his  house  convenient,  has  paid  several  visits 
among  his  sheep,  and  last  night  made  bold  to  feast  on  the 
fatted  calf.' 

'  A  troublesome  enemy,  truly  ! '  said  Atherton  ;  '  and  I 
would  gladly  help  you  to  get  rid  of  him,  but  there  are  already 


184  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

so  many  of  you,  that  my  presence  would  be  quite  useless, 
particularly,  as  I  have  no  fire-arms  with  me.' 

'  No  matter,'  returned  Peregrine,  '  you  must  go  with  us,  if, 
it  is  only  to  see  our  sport ;  though  I  dare  say  Master  Ashly 
will  lend  you  his  gun  ;  for  he  scarcely  knows  which  end  to 
fire  out  of,  and,  in  case  of  danger,  he  can  run  up  into  a  tree 
and  look  on. 

'  You  speak  without  knowledge,  Master  Peregrine,'  said 
Ashly ;  '  for,  though  I  was  not  bred  a  soldier,  I  have  been 
well  instructed  how  to  carry  a  musket.' 

1  How  to  carry  it  is  one  thing,  and  how  to  use  it  another,' 
returned  Peregrine. 

'  But  I  will  use  it,'  replied  Ashly,  doggedly,  '  against  the 
destroyer  of  my  flocks  and  herds,  even  as  David,  who  rose  up 
and  slew  the  bear,  that  stole  the  lambs  from  his  father's  sheep- 
fold.' 

'  Oh  that  was  nothing,'  said  Peregrine,  'compared  with 
this  wolf,  which  is  the  fiercest  beast  of  the  forest ;  have  a 
care,  Master  Ashly  that  you  do  not  turn  your  back  upon  him, 
or  you  may  chance  to  have  an  unpleasant  gripe  from  his 
tusks.' 

'  I  trust  we  shall  be  preserved  from  his  rage,'  said  Ashly, 
'  like  as  the  prophet  Daniel  was  saved  from  the  jaws  of  the  li- 
ons, in  their  den.' 

'I  begin  to  be  of  Major  Atherton's  opinion,'  said.Cal- 
vert,  '  that  there  are  too  many  of  us  ;  seven  armed  men 
against  one  or  two  poor  beasts,  is  quite  unmerciful,  besides 
the  danger  of  frightening  them  into  their  strong  holds  ; — 
and  so,  Major,  if  you  are  inclined  to  turn  back,  I  will 
accompany  you  ;  and,  I  fancy,  I  can  guess  whither  you  are 
bound.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  185 

'  I  have  decided  to  remain  here,'  relumed  Atherton  ;  'but, 
if  you  intend  to  return,  and  will  trust  your  gun  with  me,  I 
will  engage  to  make  a  good  use  of  it.' 

'  Excuse  me,'  replied  Calvert ;  '  it  was  merely  in  the  wish, 
of  enjoying  your  society,  that  I  made  the  proposal;  but  I 
am  too  accommodating  to  be  repulsed  by  trifles  ;  and  since 
you  conclude  to  proceed,  whither  you  go,  there  will  I  go  like- 
wise.' 

'  Your  extreme  complaisance  quite  perplexes  me,'  said 
Atherton  ;  '  and  I  feel  totally  unable  to  return  it  as  it  de- 
serves.' 

'  Pray  do  not  trouble  yourself,'  replied  Calvert;  '  I  would 
not  have  you  for  a  competitor,  in  every  thing ;  and  it  quite  en- 
courages me,  to  hear  so  formidable  a  rival  acknowledge  his 
deficiency,  even  in  trifles.' 

'  I  confess  my  deficiency  in  many  things,  in  which  you 
seem  to  excel,'  said  Atherton,  '  though  I  certainly  do  not,  at 
present,  feel  any  desire  to  attain  them.' 

'  That  last  clause  in  your  sentence,'  said  Calvert,  '  has  quite 
cancelled  my  gratitude,  for  the  compliment  contained  in  the 
first ;  I  presume  you  do  not  always  deem  it  expedient  to  ad- 
minister an  antidote  against  the  poison  of  your  flattery  ?' 

1 1  never  make  use  of  the  latter,'  replied  Atherton,  'and  of 
course,  have  no  occasion  for  the  former.' 

'  You  must  possess  a  rare  talent  of  pleasing  the  fairer 
sex,  if  you  can  dispense  with  so  powerful  an  auxiliary,'  said 
Calvert. 

'  I  have  never  found  it  essential ;'  replied  Atherton  ;  '  and 
I  believe  there  are  few  females,  worthy  of  our  regard,  who  do 
not  prefer  the  language  of  the  heart.' 

'You  may  call  it  the  language  of  the  heart,'  said  Calvert; 
'  but  it  must  pass  through  the  lips,  embellished  by  a  few  tropes 
and  figures,  drawn  from  the  fountain  of  their  charms,  and 
16* 


186  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

kindled  by  the  brilliancy  of  their  eyes  ;  or,  hang  me,  if  you 
ever  reach  their  hearts,  or  receive  one  smile  for  your  trou- 
ble.' 

'If  that  is  your  real  opinion,'  returned  Atherton,  'your  in- 
tercourse with  them  must  have  been  very  limited  or  confined 
to  the  weak  and  vain, — ' 

4  Which  is  no  small  proportion  of  the  sex  ;'  said  Calvert, 
laughing;  'but  remember,  Major,  lam  not  gifted  with  the 
power  of  creating  sweet  sounds,  at  will,  and  must  therefore 
use  my  voice  to  the  utmost  advantage,  in  whatever  it  is  capa- 
ble of  being  exercised.' 

'  I  am  sure,  Mr.  Calvert,'  said  Peregrine  White,  '  I  have 
heard  you  sing  psalm  tunes,  like  a  deacon,  many  a  time, 
since  you  have  been  here,  at  meeting  and  elsewhere  ;  though, 
to  be  sure,  you  have  not  the  unrivaled  bass  voice  of  our 
friend  Ashly.' 

'  My  voice  would  be  admirable,'  said  Calvert,  '  if  I  had 
taken  as  much  pains  to  trill  and  modify  it,  as  some  others 
have  ;  but,  as  it  is,  I  can  fortunately  get  through  your  harmo- 
nious tunes  very  well,  and  your  good — hem — Mr.  Ashly, 
what  say  you  ?' 

'  I  think  it  our  duty  to  sing  psalms  in  the  congregation,' 
said  Benjamin  Ashley,  '  albeit  our  voices  are  not  attuned  to 
harmony;  we  can,  as  the  psalmist  saith,  "make  melody  in 
our  hearts  unto  the  Lord."  ' 

'I  have  been  accustomed,  Master  Ashly,'  said  Calvert, 
gravely,  '  to  chaunt  the  anthems  of  our  excellent  liturgy,  as 
the  service  of  our  holy  Church  requires.' 

'  That  is  but  an  abomination  offered  unto  idols,'  said  Ash- 
ly, regarding  Calvert  almost  with  horror ;  '  and  though, 
peradventure  I  may  offend,  it  must  be  that  I  lift  up  my  voice 
against  it.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  187 

'  Another  time,  if  it  please  you,  Mr.  Asbly,'  said  Calvert, 
'  or  the  enemy  may  take  advantage  of  our  controversy  to 
steal  some  one  of  us,  as  he  did  your  sheep.  But,  hark !  the 
hounds  are  barking,  and  I'll  warrant  have  got  scent  of 
him.' 

This  sound  was  a  signal  for  a  general  onset ;  and  in  a  mo- 
ment, the  whole  party  were  on  the  alert  to  discover  the  track 
of  the  animal.  Benjamin  Ashly  was  the  least  forward  in  the 
chase  ;  quite  unaccustomed  to  such  scenes,  he  seemed  in- 
stinctively to  shrink  from  the  encounter,  till  Peregrine  White, 
who  observed  him  loitering  behind,  called  out, — 

'  Move  your  legs  faster,  Mr.  A&hly  ;  if  ever  they  were  of 
use  to  you,  they  may  be  so  now.' 

'  The  Lord  taketh  no  pleasure  in  the  legs  of  a  man,'  re- 
plied Afehly  ;  'but  he  directeth  us  whithersoever  he  will.' 

'  Such  snail's  legs  as  yours,  I  should  think  were  neither  for 
use  or  pleasure,'  returned  Peregrine  ;  'but  have  a  care,  Mas- 
ter Ashly,  that  your  musket  balls  don't  fly  out  amongst  us  ;  and 
remember,  if  you  stray  into  the  wolfs  mouth,  your  texts  of 
scripture  won't  bring  you  out  with  a  whole  skin.' 

So  saying,  he  ran  swiftly  after  his  companions,  followed 
more  leisurely  by  Mr.  Ashly,  who  had  no  mind  to  be  left  far  in 
the  rear.  The  wolf  was  by  this  time  started  from  his  covert, 
and  pursued  at  full  speed  by  dogs  and  sportsmen,  though  the 
numerous  impediments  of  trees  and  underwood,  prevented 
the  latter  from  gaining  upon  the  animal,  which  contrived  to 
escape  their  fire  and  elude  the  fangs  of  his  canine  enemies, 
by  crouching  in  the  lurking  places  of  the  forest,  till  again  dis- 
covered, and  compelled  to  have  recourse  to  flight  for 
safety. 

In  the  heat  of  the  pursuit,  Major  Atherton  and  Peregrine 
White,  who  chanced  to  be  near  together,  were  suddenly 
startled  by  a  voice,  as  of  some  one  in  distress  ;  and  after 


188  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

listening  a  moment,  they  heard  their  own  names  distinctly 
repeated. 

4  It  is  Benjamin  Ashly,'  said  Peregrine,  '  confound  his  slow 
motions ;  I  have  a  mind  not  to  wait  for  him.' 

4  He  must  be  in  some  difficulty,'  returned  Atherton ;  4  we 
had  better  go  to  his  relief.' 

•He  deserves  it,  for  keeping  back  like  a  cowardly  loon,' 
said  Peregrine  ;  *  but  come  on  this  way,  only  hear  him,  he  is 
roaring  like  a  wild  bull  of  Bashan.' 

4  Here  he  is,'  cried  Peregrine  White,  after  he  had  retraced 
his  steps  for  a  short  distance  ;  and  a  loud  burst  of  laughter 
succeeded  the  exclamation.  Atherton  quickened  his  pace  to 
overtake  Peregrine,  who  had  outstripped  him,  and  learn  the 
cause  of  his  merriment;  nor  could  he  refrain  from  joining  in 
it,  though  less  loudly,  when  he  beheld  the  tall,  stiff  figure  of 
Benjamin  Ashly  entangled  in  an  Indian  deer-trap,  which 
springing  as  his  feet  became  fastened  in  the  noose,  had  lifted 
his  heels  high  in  the  air,  leaving  his  head  scarcely  resting  on 
the  earth.  He  was  struggling  lustily,  and  at  the  same  time 
with  dismay  painted  on  his  countenance,  calling  loudly  for 
assistance  to  liberate  him  from  his  unpleasant  but  ludicrous 
predicament. 

4  How  is  all  this,  Master  Ashly,'  said  Peregrine,  as  soon  as 
he  could  compose  himself;  '  you  have  been  directed  with  a 
witness  to  fall  into  this  snare.' 

4  The  wicked  have  spread  their  gins  for  me,  and  I  have 
fallen  into  the  net  of  the  ungodly,'  replied  Ashly,  with  a  truly 
woful  tone  and  expression.  ' 

4 1  think  it  was  put  here  to  entrap  a  more  savory  animal,' 
returned  Peregrine  ;' and  in  my  mind  they  would  not  be 
well  pleased  to  find  you  kicking  about,  in  the  room  of  a  good 
fat  buck.  But  how  did  you  contrive  to  get  caught  so  neat- 
ly ?' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  189 

'  I  took  not  heed  to  my  ways,'  said  Ashly,  '  neither  ponder- 
ed the  path  of  my  feet,  and  the  adversary  hath  taken  me  at 
will.' 

'  Good  !'  exclaimed  Peregrine  White,  rubbing  his  hands, 
and  retreating  a  few  steps  to  examine  him  at  all  points  ;  '  I 
would  Mr.  Calvert  and  the  others  were  here  to  help  us  admire 
you.  But  is  not  your  head  dizzy,  Master  Ashly?  If  the 
wolf  had  chanced  to  come  this  way,  he  might  have  had  a  glo- 
rious pull  at  it.' 

Benjamin  Ashly  seemed  to  shrink  at  the  idea ;  but  redden- 
ing with  vexation,  he  said, — 

'  Will  you  not  help  me  out,  Master  Peregrine, — Major  Ath- 
erton  ?  It  is  written,  "  he  that  is  glad  at  calamities  shall  not 
go  unpunished." ' 

'All  in  good  time,'  said  Peregrine,  detaining  Atherton,  who 
was  about  to  release  him  ;  '  but  we  want  to  examine  this 
cunning  device  a  little  longer  ;  your  legs  do  not  ache,  I  hope  ?' 

'  Truly,  Master  Peregrine,  my  "  legs  are  not  of  brass,  nor  my 
sinews  of  iron,"  that  they  should  endure  forever ;  and  verily 
they  do  weary  of  this  bondage.' 

At  that  instant,  a  loud  shout  was  heard  from  a  distance, 
mingled  with  the  report  of  fire  arms. 

'  There,  they  have  killed  the  wolf,'  exclaimed  Peregrine, 
impatiently,  '  while  we  have  been  watching  this  game  that  can 
be  got  at  every  day  and  we  choose.' 

A  brief  silence  however  which  ensued,  was  again  broken 
by  the  howling  of  the  savage  beast,  and  Peregrine  White 
bounded  forward,  exclaiming  as  he. went, — 

'  We  may  be  there  in  season,  yet ;  and  so  good  bye  to  you, 
Mr.  Ashly.' 

'  Truly,  the  voice  of  the  beast  is  like  the  rushing  of  migh- 
ty winds,'  said  Benjamin  Ashly,  casting  his  eyes  fearfully 


190  PEEP     AT    TEE    PILGRIMS. 

around,  and  then  almost  in  despair  at  his  imprisoned  feet,  '  I 
will  go  with  you,  if — ' 

'  If  you  can  be  free,'  interrupted  Atherton,  at  the  same  time 
releasing  him  from  bondage  ;  '  and  perhaps  we  shall  need 
your  assistance  in  the  contest,  Mr.  Ashly.' 

Mr.  Ashly,  happy  to  be  released,  righted  himself  with  all 
convenient  speed,  and  having  rubbed  his  feet  and  ancles  with 
great  care,  moved  briskly  from  the  spot,  often  applying  his 
hand  to  his  head  as  he  went  along,  probably  to  allay  the  un- 
easy sensation  occasioned  by  the  inverted  position  which  had 
distended  every  vein,  so  that  they  appeared  starting  through 
his  scanty  crop  of  hair. 

The  trap  which  had  so  unluckily  mistaken  its  prey,  was  in 
itself  a  curious  specimen  of  savage  ingenuity.  It  was  formed 
by  a  young  sapling  bent  to  the  ground  like  a  bow,  with  acorns 
strewed  under  it,  to  decoy  the  deer ;  and  so  contrived  with  a 
noose  attached  to  it,  that  when  the  nimble  footed  animal  came 
near  enough  to  taste  the  food,  his  movements  disengaged  the 
fastenings,  and  the  pliant  tree  suddenly  springing  up,  held 
him  entangled  beyond  the  power  of  escape. 

When  Atherton  had  sufficiently  admired  this  sample  of  In- 
dian sagacity,  he  hastened  after  his  companions  ;  and  direct- 
ed by  their  voices,  found  them  arranged  in  a  semi-circle, 
awaiting  the  motions  of  the  wolf  which  they  held  at  bay, 
though  he  had  found  refuge  from  their  immediate  attack, 
within  the  shelter  of  a  narrow  cave. 

'  Where  are  your  spoils,  Mr.  Calvert  ? '  asked  Atherton  ; 
'  from  the  noise  of  your  firing  just  now,  I  was  fearful  of  com- 
ing too  late  to  share  the  victory.' 

1  No  ;  he  is  safe  yet,'  said  Calvert,  'and  stands  bullets,  as 
if  dressed  out  in  a  coat  of  mail.  But  I  understood,'  he  ad- 
ded, lowering  his  voice,  '  that  you  have  been  viewing  a  differ- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  191 

ent  sort  of  game  ;  it  must  have  been  rare  sport  to  see  master 
Ashly  rolling  his  clipped  head  on  the  ground.' 

'  Better  sport  to  us  than  to  him,  I  suspect,'  said  Atherton  ; 
'  but  where  is  the  wolf?  not  slipped  from  you,  I  hope.' 

4  No,  but  almost  as  bad,'  said  Calvert ;  '  we  had  got  him 
fairly  in  the  chase,,  and  fired  off  our  muskets  with  deadly  aim, 
as  we  thought,  when,  all  at  once,  this  confounded  cave  came 
in  his  way,  and  he  retreated  quietly  into  it.' 

'  Not  very  quietly,  I  think,'  said  Peregrine  White  ;  '  for  we 
heard  his  roaring  afar  off;  but  at  any  rate,  it  was  more  con- 
venient than  a  deer  trap  would  have  been  ;  don't  you  think  so, 
Mr.  Ashly?' 

But  Mr.  Ashly  was  conveniently  deaf  at  the  moment ;  an 
infirmity  which  often  seized  him,  on  like  occasions,  and  which 
generally  served  to  increase  the  mirth  of  Peregrine  White.  Ev- 
ery one  was  now  engrossed  by  the  common  enemy,  which  had 
kept  close  in  his  retreat,  till  impatient  of  the  delay,  some  pro- 
posed firing  into  the  narrow  aperture,  and  others  suggested 
expedients  to  draw  him  from  it. 

'  Wait  a  little  longer,'  said  Calvert,  who  was  the  most  ex- 
perienced sportsman  in  the  group,  '  and  I  can  answer  for  it, 
he  will  put  his  nose  out  to  look  at  us,  when  we  will  give 
him  a  pinch  of  gunpowder  to  smell  off.' 

And  in  fact,  he  had  scarcely  done  speaking,  when  the 
animal,  which  was  confined  within  narrow  limits,  and  prob- 
ably alarmed  by  the  noise  around  him,  came  to  the  entrance 
of  the  cavern,  and  with  a  hideous  growl,  and  eyes  flash- 
ing like  balls  of  fire,  stood  surveying  them  with  fierce  and 
determined  courage.  On  a  given  signal  every  gun  was 
at  once  discharged  ;  but  at  the  first  flash,  he  darted  back 
into  the  cave,  though  not  without  receiving  a  severe  wound  ; 
and  mad  with  pain,  he  returned  to  the  combat,  and  crouch- 
ing low,  prepared  to  spring  upon  his  antagonists.  At  that 


192  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

instant,  before  the  party  had  time  to  reload,  another  piece 
was  presented,  and  with  surer  aim ;  the  ball  pierced  his 
breast,  and  prevented  the  meditated  attack. 

The  wounded  animal  rolled  in  agony  on  the  ground, 
which  was  already  dyed  with  his  blood;  and  then,  as  if 
exerting  the  last  energies  of  despair,  raised  himself  in  a 
menacing  attitude,  and  grinding  his  tusks  with  mingled 
rage  and  pain,  he  seemed  making  a  final  effort  to  revenge 
himself  on  his  assailants.  But  a  second  and  more  effectu- 
al volley  decided  the  conflict,  and  put  a  speedy  end  to  the 
sufferings  of  the  victim. 

'  We  have  done  it  now,'  said  Captain  Standish,  coming  for- 
ward into  the  circle  ;  '  but  the  old  veteran  of  the  woods  fought 
it  out  bravely  to  the  last.' 

'  So  it  was  you,  Captain,  who  did  us  that  good  service  just 
now,'  said  Peregrine  White  ;  '  I  thought  it  must  be  an  experi- 
enced hand  to  take  such  deadly  aim.' 

'  Yes,  1  have  had  long  experience  among  the  beasts  of  the 
forest,  of  every  description  ;  '  returned  the  Captain  ;  '  these 
ugly  wolves  used  to  prowl  round  us,  without  ceremony,  and 
grin  at  our  very  feet,  when  we  first  came  over  ;  but  we  soon 
taught  them  better  manners;  and  it  is  long  since  one  has  been 
so  bold  as  this  grim  monster.  Master  Ashly's  barn-yard  must 
have  been  very  tempting  I  think.' 

'  We  have  at  least  had  good  exercise  on  this  cool  morning,' 
said  Atherton  ;  '  but,  may  I  ask,  Captain,  how  you  came  here 
so  opportunely  ?  ' 

'  tjobamock  told  me  what  sport  you  were  engaged  in,'  said 
the  Captain,  'and  I  had  a  mind  to  join  you.  But  where  is 
Master  Ashly,  Peregrine  ?  I  do  not  see  him  here.' 

'  I  don't  know  what  has  become  of  him,'  said  Peregrine  ; 
'  I  saw  him  just  now,  behind  that  big  tree,  pointing  his  gun 
to  the  clouds,  I  think.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  193 

'  You  speak  that  you  do  not  know,  Master  Peregrine,'  said 
Ashly,  emerging  from  the  shelter  of  some  trees,  '  I  leveled 
my  gun  fairly  at  the  beast,  and  did  but  step  behind  that  tree 
to  save  myself  from  the  jaws  of  destruction,  when  the  terrible 
creature  glared  upon  me,  and  seemed  to  single  me  out  for  his 
prey.' 

'  Perhaps,'  said  Peregrine,  gravely,  '  he  mistook  you  for 
another  calf.' 

'  Touching  thy  foolish  talking,  Master  Peregrine,'  returned 
Ashly,  '  it  harms  me  not ;  neither  thy  jesting,  which  is  not 
convenient.' 

'  Not  convenient  to  you,  perhaps,'  replied  Peregrine  ;  '  but 
as  we  walk  along,  I  will  show  Captain  Standish  that  cunning 
trap,  which  caught  you  like  a  "ram  in  the  thicket,"  just 
now.' 

«  What ! '  said  the  Captain,  laughing,  '  Mr.  Ashly  caught 
in  a  deer-trap  !  I  would  I  had  been  here  sooner  ;  methinks 
it  must  have  been  worth  the  looking  at.' 

'  It  is  a  pit  into  which  we  may  all  be  left  to  slide,'  said  Ben- 
jamin Ashly  ;  '  and  let  him  that  "  thinketh  he  standeth,  take 
heed  lest  he  fall."  ' 

'And  pray,  Master  Benjamin,'  asked  the  Captain,  'were 
you  stooping  to  pick  up  acorns  or  how  came  you  into  the 
snare  ? ' 

'  No,'  replied  Peregrine,  '  it  took  him  at  the  lower  extre- 
mity, and  lifted  his  legs  up  between  heaven  and  earth,  leav- 
ing his  head  resting  on  a  soft  pillow  of  chesnut  burs.  But 
look.  Captain  !  here  is  the  unlucky  place ;  and  the  trap 
quite  spoiled  for  further  use.' 

'  I  have  often  seen  them,'  said  the  Captain.     '  These  sava- 
ges are  ingenious  enough;  but  so  improvident,  that  they  are 
content  to  live  on   what  they  can    find  one    day,  and  run  the 
risk  of  starving  the  next.     Mr.   Bradford  got   entangled  in  a 
17 


191  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

trap  like  this,  in  one  of  our  roving  excursions,  to  search  the 
country,  and  was  laughed  at  almost  as  much  as  you  have 
been,  Master  Ashly  ;  so  you  need  not  mind  what  this  wild 
boy,  Peregrine,  says  to  you.' 

'  I  regard  it  not,'  returned  Ashly  ;  '  it  is  as  idle  as  the 
"  crackling  of  thorns  under  a  pot,"  and  forgotten  as  soon  as 
it  entereth  into  my  ears.' 

'  Perhaps  it  is  lost  while  going  in  there,'  said  Peregrine ; 
'  they  are  stately  portals  to  pass  through,' — and  he  glanced  his 
mirthful  eyes  at  Benjamin's  prominent  ears. 

'  Come,  come,'  said  the  Captain,  '  we  must  quicken  our 
pace,  my  lads,  if  we  would  reach  home  in  season  for  dinner; 
I  wish  that  were  a  fat  deer  instead  of  a  carrion  wolf  we  killed 
yonder  ;  we  might  have  a  dainty  feast  from  it.' 

4  If  you  keep  on  at  this  quick  march,  Captain,'  said  Pere-- 
grine  White,  '  I,  for  one,  shall  hardly  live  to  eat  my  dinner; 
I  have  been  ranging  about  since  sunrise,  and  begin  to  wax 
faint  and  weary ;  good  Master  Ashly,  we  are  commanded  to 
"  bear  another's  burthens,"  and  I  would  you  were  inclined  to 
obey,  and  relieve  me  of  my  musket  for  a  season.' 

'  Let  every  man  provide  for  himself,  Master  Peregrine,'  re- 
plied Ashly,  with  unusual  asperity  ;  'and  I  exhort  you  to  mind 
your  own  affairs,  and  leave  me  in  peace.' 

'You  speak  most  wisely,'  returned  Peregrine;  '  but  never- 
theless, I  must  admonish  you  to  take  heed  to  your  ways,  and 
fall  not  into  another  deer-trap.' 

Mr.  Ashly  deigned  no  further  reply,  and  the  party  soon 
after  left  the  woods,  and  dispersed  to  their  different  abodes. 
Captain  Standish  proposed  calling  a  few  moments  at  Mr. 
Grey's,  and  both  Atherlon  and  Calvert  readily  consented  to 
accompany  him.  But  Major  Atherton  fancied  himself  re- 
ceived less  cordially  than  usual  by  Mr.  Grey,  while  Miriam, 
from  whatever  cause,  evidently  shunned  his  attentions,  and 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  195 

with  her  usual  gayety,  conversed  almost  entirely  with  the 
Captain  and  Mr.  Calvert.  Rejoiced  that  the  interview  proved 
short,  Atherton  left  the  house  depressed  in  spirits,  and  strongly 
inclined  to  accuse  the  father  of  injustice,  and  the  daughter  of 
caprice  ;  and  for  the  first  time,  was  heartily  sorry  that  he  had 
ever  touched  the  shores  of  New-England. 


196  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

Come,  haste  to  the  wedding,  ye  friends  and  ye  neighbors, 
The  lovers  their  bliss  can  no  longer  delay, 
Suspend  all  your  sorrows,  your  cares,  and  your  labors, 
And  let  every  heart  beat  with  rapture  to-day. 

NEW-ENGLAND  SONS. 

MAJOR  ATHERTON,  for  three  succeeding  days  refrained  from, 
visiting  Plymouth;  a  sacrifice  of  inclination  which  cost  him 
no  inconsiderable  effort,  though  he  endeavored  to  conceal  his 
uneasiness  from  the  keen  eyes  of  Captain  Standish,  and  busied 
himself,  almost  constantly,  in  writing  letters  to  his  friends  in 
England.  Captain  Martin,  who  was  to  be  the  bearer  of  them, 
and  had  just  returned  from  a  trading  voyage  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Bay,  expected  shortly  to  sail  from  Plymouth,  and  Mr. 
Grey  had  taken  passage  in  his  vessel,  being  constrained  to 
visit  England,  on  some  business  which  required  his  personal 
attention.  It  was,  however,  with  feelings  of  regret  rather 
than  pleasure,  that  he  anticipated  a  return  to  his  native  land 
after  an  absence  of  so  many  years,  during  which  he  had  be- 
come weaned  from  all  the  friendships  of  his  youth,  and  bound 
by  every  tie  of  affection  to  his  adopted  country. 

Mr.  Grey  had  in  early  life  formed  an  attachment  for  a 
young  woman  of  respectable  family,  and  whose  personal  at- 
tractions, though  great,  were  surpassed  by  the  purity  and  ex- 
cellence of  her  mind  and  character.  But  her  friends,  who 
had  at  first  sanctioned  his  addresses,  withdrew  their  approba- 
tion, when  in  subsequent  years,  he  became  a  convert  to  the 
opinions  of  the  Brovvnists,  and  exerted  his  utmost  influence 
to  induce  her  to  embrace  the  same  tenets.  Yet,  though  these 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  197 

tenets  were  at  that  time  too  obnoxious  to  harmonize  with  her 
feelings,  his  change  of  faith  did  not  remove  the  deep-rooted 
affection  she  cherished  for  him ;  and  persisting  in  her  resolu- 
tion to  become  the  wife  of  no  other  man,  her  father  at  length 
yielded  a  reluctant  consent  to  their  union.  But  his  prejudice 
against  the  religion  of  Mr.  Grey  was  insuperable,  and  from 
that  time  his  tenderness  for  her  seemed  to  diminish  ;  and  as 
the  arguments  of  the  husband  proved  more  persuasive  than 
those  of  the  lover,  and  the  spirit  of  persecution  had  already 
commenced  its  reign,  Mrs.  Grey  was  induced  to  join  the  Pu- 
ritans, who  fled  for  safety  to  Holland,  and  united  with  a 
church  at  Ley  den.  Mrs.  Grey,  however,  after  their  removal 
to  America,  had  the  satisfaction  of  receiving  many  affectionate 
letters  from  her  father,  whose  displeasure  at  her  marriage  was 
gradually  softened  by  time,  and  the  intercession  of  his  eldest 
daughter,  who  discreetly  pleaded  the  cause  of  her  absent  sis- 
ter, to  whom  she  was  devotedly  attached.  On  the  death  of 
Mrs.  Grey,  this  attachment  was  transferred  to  Miriam,  whom 
she  loved  for  her  mother's  sake,  and  wished  to  adopt  as  her 
own  child;  but  the  objections  of  Mr.  Grey  were  invincible, 
and  too  reasonable  to  be  disputed.  Still,  Miriam  was  con- 
stantly receiving  from  her  aunt,  tokens  of  kindness  and  re- 
membrance ;  and  though  her  father  sometimes  thought  them 
too  costly  or  too  gay,  yet  if  any  feeling  of  worldly  pride  ever 
entered  his  breast,  it  was  when  he  saw  the  native  charms  of 
his  daughter  enhanced  by  a  becoming  dress,  suited  to  her  age 
and  station ;  and  her  own  sens.e  of  propriety,  as  well  as  his 
peculiar  notions  of  duty,  rejected  whatever  was  superfluous. 
On  the  death  of  his  father-in-law,  Mr.  Grey  became  trustee 
of  the  property  which  Miriam  received  from  him,  in  her  mo- 
ther's right ;  and  it  was  somewhat  relative  to  the  set'tlement 
of  it,  which  obliged  him  to  encounter  the  fatigues  of  a  voyage 
to  England. 

17* 


198  PEEP     AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 

Major  Atherton,  in  the  meantime,  became  weary  of  his  vol- 
untary exile  from  Plymouth  ;  and  on  the  fourth  day,  after  re- 
volving the  subject  in  his  mind,  had  just  persuaded  himself 
that  it  was  indispensable  to  pay  his  parting  respects  to  Mr. 
Grey,  when  his  meditations  were  suddenly  put  to  flight  by 
the  entrance  of  Mr.  Calvert,  who  saluted  him  with  his  usual 
freedom,  and  even  more  than  his  usual  cordiality. 

'  I  have  come  all  this  way,  Major,  to  learn  what  has  become 
cf  you,'  he  said.  '  I  have  not  encountered  you  by  a  certain 
gate,  for  four  days  past ;  and  I  thought  that  nothing  short  of 
drowning  or  shooting  yourself  could  keep  you  so  long  away.' 

'  It  is  not  the  first  time  I  have  remained  here  even  longer,' 
replied  Atherton ;  '  mine  host  is  a  most  agreeable  compan- 
ion, and  Alexander  is  at  all^  times  ready  to  hunt  or  fish  with 
me.' 

'  Are  there  any  bright  eyes  to  hunt  after,  here  ? '  asked  Cal- 
vert. '  If  there  are,  I  pray  you  let  me  join  the  chase ;  for  it 
is  tiresome  to  gaze  forever  on  one  face,  be  it  ever  so  beautiful.' 

'  I  have  seen  none  peeping  from  wood  or  brake  ;  nor  yet 
sporting  on  the  glassy  waves,'  said  Atherton  ;  '  Dryads  and 
Naiads,  I  suspect,  are  all  frighted  from  this  rugged  clime,  by 
these  cold  autumnal  blasts.' 

'  You  have  grown  enamored  of  solitude  then  ?  That  is  a 
bad  sign,'  said  Calvert;  '  but  if  you  would  turn  recluse,  Ma- 
jor, I  pray  thee  go  for  the  whole ;  my  bead-telling  kinsman  of 
Maryland  will  give  thee  good  thanks  to  establish  a  monastery 
of  holy  friars  in  his  fair  province.' 

'  Ah  !  Mr.  Calvert,'  said  the  Captain,  who  had  just  entered, 
'nobody  but  you  would  dare  to  speak  openly  of  such  papisti- 
cal things  in  this  region  of  the  world  ;  but  tell  me  whence  you 
come,  and  whither  you  are  going?  Sit  down  first,  though, 
if  it  please  you.' 

It  would  please  me  to  sit  a  long  time,'  replied  Calvert ;  '  but 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  199 

I  can  stay  only  a  moment,  I  shot  across  the  Bay  in  a  high 
wind  and  light  skiff,  and  came  to  tell  you  Mr.  Grey  hopes  to 
see  you  all  tomorrow.  The  banns  are  published,  the  priest 
is  ready,  and  demure  Mistress  Lois  is  waiting  to  become  a 
bride.  I  promised  to  deliver  the  tidings  to  you,  so  witness 
all,  that  I  have  done  it — and  now,  good  bye  to  you.' 

'  Soft  and  easy,  good  sir,'  said  the  Captain.  '  You  have 
but  half  done  your  duty,  if  you  wait  not  for  an  answer  to 
your  message ;  mine  is  plain  yes,  and  a  merry  wedding  to 
them  ;  and,  though  cousin  Atherton  seems  to  be  deliberating, 
I  think  I  may  vouch  for  his  attendance  also.  Am  I  right, 
Edward  ? ' 

'  Certainly,  sir,'  said  Atherton  ;  '  I  have  no  excuse  to  offer 
if  I  were  disposed  to  decline.' 

'  Perhaps  we  can  frame  one  for  you  if  you  are  very  reluc- 
tant to  go,'  said  Calvert. 

'  So  far  from  it,'  returned  Atherton,  '  I  would  not  any  ac- 
count forego  the  expected  pleasure.' 

'  I  should  think  it  strange  if  you  would,'  replied  Calvert, 
'  when  there  are  so  many  attractions  to  allure  you  there.' 

'  We  all  know  your  opinion  on  that  subject,  Mr.  Calvert,' 
said  the  Captain;  'but  methinks  a  tongue  so  eloquent  as 
thine  should  have  won  your  cause  ere  this.' 

'  I  am  proof  against  flattery  in  all  its  forms,  Captain  ;  so  do 
not  try  to  excite  my  vanity.' 

'  Never  fear,'  said  the  Captain  ;  '  there  have  been  enough 
before  me  to  do  that,  and  with  good  success  I  should  judge ; 
so  I  will  deal  to  you  a  simple  truth  ;  the  boldest  wooer  is  not 
always  successful.' 

'Thank  you,  sir;  '  returned  Calvert ;  'but  lest  you  should 
depress  my  courage  too  much,  I  will  be  off  for  Plymouth 
again.' 

'  Bear  my  best  wishes  to  my  little  rose-bud,'  said  the  Cap- 


200  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

tain  ;  '  and  bid  her  take  counsel  from  her  cousin  Lois  on  this 
occasion.' 

'  With  all  my  heart,'  returned  Calvert ;  '  and  so  once  more, 
fare  thee  well.' 

'  Calvert  is  a  clever  fellow,'  said  the  Captain,  when  he  was 
gone  ;  '  but  I  hope  the  girl  will  not  be  foolish  enough  to  marry 
him.' 

'  And  why  do  you  hope  so,  sir  ? '  asked  Atherton. 

'  Because  she  is  the  pride  of  New-England,'  said  the  Cap- 
tain, '  and  I  would  not  have  her  transplanted  to  the  tobacco 
fields  and  rice  plantations  of  Virginia  ;  besides ' 

The  Captain  suddenly  stopped,  and  looking  through  the 
window  seemed  watching  the  motions  of  Calvert,  who  had 
again  entered  the  boat  and  was  pushing  from  the  shore. — 
After  a  moment's  silence  he  turned  quickly  to  Atherton,  and 
looking  steadily  in  his  face  inquired, — 

'And  what  do  you  think  of  Miriam  Grey,  Edward  Ather- 
ton?' 

'  Think  of  her?  '  said  Atherton,  startled  by  the  abruptness 
of  the  question.  '  She  is  as  beautiful  and  lovely  as  an  angel ; 
and  I  think  her  a  jewel  worthy  the  diadem  of  a  prince.' 

'  Pretty  high  flown,  on  my  word,'  said  the  Captain  laugh- 
ing. '  I  don't  think  I  could  have  done  better  myself,  even  at 
your  age,  Major ;  and  so  I  suppose  if  she  were  not  a  Puri- 
tan you  might  be  inclined  to  take  her  "  for  better  for  worse," 
as  your  crafty  prayer-book  hath  it.' 

'  Really  sir,'  replied  Atherton,  'to  be  frank  with  you,  that 
would  be  a  very  slight  objection  in  my  mind.' 

'  That  is  right,  Edward,'  returned  the  Captain.  '  I  love  a 
candid  liberal  spirit;  but  let  me  tell  you,  they  are  not  often 
to  be  met  with  ;  and  if  you  will  take  this  jewel  to  yourself, 
you  must  believe  with  the  rulers  of  the  land,' 

'I  would  not,'  said  Atherton,  '  for  any  personal  advantage 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 


or  gratification  sacrifice  my  religious  opinions  till  convinced 
they  are  incorrect ;  and  at  present  I  am  far  from  being  so.' 

'  You  are  right  again,  cousin,'  replied  the  Captain  ;  '  yet 
after  all  it  is  but  rejecting  a  few  idle  ceremonies,  which  have 
no  authority  in  Scripture ;  and  we  all  believe  alike  at  the  bot- 
tom.' 

'We  all  believe  the  Bible,'  returned  Atherton,  'or  profess 
to  believe  ;  but  there  are  different  ways  of  interpreting  it; 
and  our  church  considers  certain  articles  and  forms  essential, 
which  you  denounce  as  idolatrous.' 

'  Well,'  said  the  Captain,  '  you  must  get  our  minister  or 
elders  to  discuss  these  points  with  you  ;  or  Mr.  Bradford,  who 
is  as  knowing  as  any  of  them  on  such  subjects,  and  can  bring 
forward  arguments  like  a  Bishop.  He  even  learned  the  He- 
brew tongue,  purposely,  as  he  says,  that  he  might  read  with 
his  "  own  eyes  the  ancient  oracles  of  God  in  their  native 
beauty." 

'  I  am  afraid  it  would  be  dangerous  to  encounter  so  skill- 
ful an  antagonist,'  said  Atherton,  smiling;  'for  I  already  ad- 
mire the  simplicity  of  your  worship  more  perhaps,  than  most 
of  my  English  friends  would  approve.' 

'  So  much  the  better,'  replied  the  Captain ;  '  and  we  will 
leave  you  to  time  and  opportunity,  hoping  they  will  bring  you 
into  the  right  way  at  last;  and  then,  Major,  some  other  plans 
can  be  settled  at  leisure.' 

'  I  have  a  plan  in  my  head  now  which  I  would  mention  to 
you,  Captain  ;  for  I  believe  it  is  nearly  time  to  put  it  in  exe- 
cution.' 

'  Well,  speak  it  out,  cousin  Atherton ;  but  I  hope  it  will 
not  take  you  away  from  us.' 

'  Only  for  a  season,  to  the  Massachusetts.  I  have  a  strong 
inclination  to  see  that  place,  which  rumor  seems  so  fond  of 


202  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGKIMS. 

magnifying,  and  propose  to  visit  it  shortly  if  a  convenient  op- 
portunity should  offer.' 

'  Not  at  this  season  of  the  year !  '  said  the  Captain,  '  You 
can  see  nothing  but  the  frozen  ground  and  leafless  trees  ;  but 
wait  till  spring  and  I  will  go  with  you.' 

'  That  is  certainly  a  very  tempting  proposal,  Captain;  but 
I  may  then  be  compelled  to  make  a  longer  voyage,  even  to 
the  green  shores  of  England.' 

'  Any  other  spring  will  do  as  well,  and  better  than  the  next 
for  that  voyage  ; '  said  the  Captain  ;  '  so  I  pray  you  give  up 
your  scheme  for  the  present.' 

'  I  will  take  it  into  consideration,  and  give  you  season- 
able notice  of  my  departure,'  returned  Atherton.  '  But  I 
must  leave  you  now,  Captain,  to  prepare  my  packet  for  Cap- 
tain Martin.' 

'  Well,  have  all  things  in  readiness  for  tomorrow,'  said  the 
Captain  ;  '  remember  I  am  a  punctual  man,  and  it  would  not 
be  handsome  to  keep  the  good  people  waiting  on  such  a  joy- 
ful occasion.' 

But  it  was  not  necessary  to  remind  Major  Atherton  of  his 
duty  in  that  particular ;  he  was  equipped  in  excellent  season 
on  the  following  day,  and  waiting  with  some  impatience  for 
the  appointed  hour.  This  was  as  early  as  could  reasonably 
be  expected,  even  in  an  age,  when  it  was  the  fashion  to  visit 
in  the  afternoon,  and  return  with  the  setting  sun,  instead  of 
trespassing  as  now,  upon  the  hours  of  night,  and  prolonging 
the  dance  and  revel  till  the  dawning  of  the  morn.  Captain 
Standish,  who  exercised  a  sort  of  military  precision,  even  in 
the  minute  affairs  of  life,  was  extremely  punctilious  in  regard 
to  time  on  so  important  an  occasion  ;  but  his  calculations  were 
defeated  by  the  perversity  of  the  wind,  which  died  into  a  calm 
as  they  were  crossing  the  Bay,  and  their  progress  was  so  re- 
tarded by  the  unlucky  accident,  that  the  company  were  all  as- 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  203 

sembled,  and  waiting  at  Mr.  Grey's  when  they  arrived  at  his 
house. 

The  room  was  well  filled  with  guests,  among  whom  Ather- 
ton  recognized  the  Governor  and  his  family,  and  many  others 
who  were  slightly  known  to  him  ;  but  Miriam  Grey  engrossed 
his  whole  attention,  and  her  cordial  smiles  quickly  effaced  the 
remembrance  of  her  late  fancied  indifference.  She,  however, 
soon  left  the  room,  and  the  slight  bustle  which  had  prevailed, 
was  succeeded  by  a  general  pause  ; — the  men  looked  grave, 
and  even  the  goodly  row  of  matrons  and  maidens  was  hushed 
to  silence  as  if  awaiting  some  important  event.  Every  eye 
was  turned  expectantly  towards  the  door ;  and  in  a  few  mo- 
ments Miriam  Grey  re-entered,  accompanied  by  the  bride  and 
bridegroom,  who  advanced  to  seats  left  vacant  for  them,  at 
the  upper  end  of  the  apartment,  where  the  clergyman  and 
magistrate  stood  ready  to  officiate.  Lois  Grey  sustained  the 
gaze  of  observation  with  modest  firmness  :  she  wore  the  sim- 
ple but  not  unbecoming  gnrb  of  her  sect,  with  no  adornment 
except  the  native  charms  of  an  intelligent  and  ingenuous 
countenance  ;  and  throughout  acquitted  herself  with  a  de- 
gree of  propriety  and  composure,  which  could  only  result 
from  deliberate  reflection  on  the  step  she  was  about  to  take, 
and  a  perfect  confidence  in  the  man  to  whose  keeping  she  had 
entrusted  her  earthly  happiness. 

Among  many  of  the  early  non-conformists,  and  particu- 
larly throughout  the  Massachusetts'  settlements,  marriage 
was  regarded  merely  as  a  civil  contract;  and  accordingly,  the 
ceremony  was  always  performed  by  a  magistrate  instead  of  a 
minister  of  religion.  As  Mr.  Weldon  had  imbibed  that  opin- 
ion, the  Governor  was  requested  to  conduct  the  marriage  ser- 
vice, though  in  compliment  to  Mr.  Reynel,  the  clergyman 
who  was  present,  he  was  invited  to  make  the  concluding 
prayer  and  offer  some  advice  adapted  to  the  occasion. 


204  PEEP   AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 


The  short,  but  deeply  interesting  ceremony  was  soon  con- 
cluded ;  and  the  whole  company  successively  approached  the 
new-married  pair  to  present  their  compliments  and  congratu- 
lations. The  long  established  custom  of  saluting,  and  being 
saluted  was  not  forgotten.  Mr.  Winslow,  in  virtue  of  his 
office  set  the  example  by  touching  his  lips  to  the  blushing 
cheek  of  the  bride,  while  Mrs.  Winslow  received  the  saluta- 
tion of  the  bridegroom.  They  were  followed  by  the  elder 
part  of  the  company  in  due  order,  each  leading  forward  his 
spouse  ;  and  finally  the  young  people  succeeded  them  in  high 
glee,  and  bandying  jokes,  which  were  doubtless  considered 
excellent  at  the  time;  but  are  now  unfortunately  for  posterity, 
entirely  forgotten. 

Peregrine  White  not  quite  satisfied  with  kissing  the  bride 
alone,  seemed  strongly  inclined  to  extend  the  practice  more 
generally ;  and  was  so  far  encouraged  by  a  nod  of  approba- 
tion from  Captain  Standish,  that  he  turned  suddenly  to  Mis- 
tress Rebecca  Spindle,  who  chanced  to  be  next  him,  and  be- 
fore she  was  aware  of  his  intention,  startled  her  by  a  hearty 
salute. 

'  La  !  Master  Peregrine,'  exclaimed  the  spinster,  '  you  al- 
ways take  one  so  at  unawares  !' 

But  Peregrine  had  already  fixed  his  eyes  on  the  rosy  cheek 
of  a  laughing  girl ;  though  before  he  could  approach  her  or 
his  companions  had  found  courage  to  imitate  his  boldness,  the 
amusement  was  interdicted  by  a  grave  elderly  man,  who  with 
an  air  of  authority  not  to  be  disputed,  remarked,  that  « the 
custom  of  indiscriminate  salutations  between  young  men  and 
maidens,  ought  not  to  be  tolerated  in  a  Christian  assembly, 
since  it  was  no  where  authorized  in  Scripture,  except  where 
the  Apostle  commanded  the  brethren  to  "  greet  one  another 
with  a  holy  kiss,"  which  could  not  be  interpreted  to  sanction 
a  frolic  introduced  like  the  present,  by  a  giddy  youth.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  205 

This  appeal  was  considered  unanswerable  by  a  majority 
of  the  guests  ;  but  Peregrine  White  whispered  apart  to  Ath- 
erton, — 

'  I  think  that  long  exhortation  might  have  been  spared, 
when  we  have  met  to  together  on  purpose  to  make  merry; 
but  I  wish  I  had  begun  with  some  one  more  tempting  than 
Mistress  Spindle ;  I  would,  had  I  known  my  sport  was  to  be 
ended  so  speedily.' 

But  the  low  murmurs  of  his  discontent  were  happily  inter- 
rupted by  the  distribution  of  cake  and  wine  ; — from  time  im- 
memorial as  indispensable  at  a  wedding  festival  as  the  nuptial 
benediction.  The  health  and  happiness  of  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Weldon  were  cheerfully  pledged  by  each  individual;  some 
adding  to  the  compliment  a  sententious  remark,  or  a  word  of 
advice  adapted  to  their  new  situation  ;  while  those  to  whom, 
it  was  addressed,  agreeably  to  the  usage  of  the  times,  main- 
tained their  station  by  each  other  as  immovably,  as  if  the 
words  which  pronounced  them  man  and  wife,  had  actually 
made  them  one  person. 

Miriam  Grey  retained  a  seat  by  the  side  of  Lois,  occasion- 
ally mingling  with  the  guests  as  civility  required  ;  and  Major 
Atherton,  whose  eyes  continually  followed  her,  fancied  her 
countenance  was  less  animated  and  her  smile  more  pensive 
than  usual.  It  was  natural  that  she  should  feel  a  degree  of 
sadness  on  an  event  so  replete  with  solemn  interest  to  her 
cousin  ;  and  which,  she  was  aware,  would  soon  remove  from 
her  the  long  tried  and  beloved  friend  of  her  childhood  and 
youth.  Miriam  however  endeavored  to  repress  these  feel- 
ings ;  and  Mr.  Calvert,  who  perhaps  also  observed  the  shade 
on  her  open  brow,  exerted  his  peculiar  address  to  engage  her 
in  conversation,  and  call  forth  the  usual  gaiety  of  her  spirits. 

'I  hope,  cousin  Atherton,'  said  Captain  Standish,  who  saw 
18 


206  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

him  regarding  them  attentively,  '  you  do  not  envy  the  bride- 
groom that  you  look  so  long  and  earnestly  in  that  direction.' 

'  Not  in  the  least,  sir,'  said  Atherton  ;  '  though  he  appears 
so  happy  that  one  might  almost  be  tempted  to  do  so  ;  but  I 
was  not  even  thinking  of  him  just  then.' 

4  No,  I'll  engage  you  were  not,'  said  Peregrine  White  ; 
'  and  I  think  Captain,  if  the  Major  was  envying  any  one,  it 
must  have  been  Mr.  Calvert.' 

'  You  take  it  upon  yourself  to  think  at  all  times,  and  for 
every  body,  Master  Malapert,'  said  the  Captain ;  '  but  what 
were  you  thinking  of  when  you  ventured  to  offend  Mistress 
Spindle  by  kissing  her  ? ' 

'  I  was  thinking  of  a  fairer  cheek  beyond  her,'  replied  Pere- 
grine, laughing;  'but  thought  it  would  not  be  courteous  to 
pass  by  hers  ;  and  I  believe,  she  has  very  graciously  pardoned 
the  offence.' 

'  Fairly  done,'  said  the  Captain,  '  and  I  think  no  one  will 
contest  your  choice,  Peregrine.  But  come  with  me,  Major 
Atherton  ;  we  will  draw  nearer  the  happy  couple  since  they 
are  tied  up  so  that  they  cannot  come  to  us.' 

'  I  will  follow  with  your  leave ;  '  said  Peregrine.  '  Miriam 
looks  this  way  as  though  she  had  something  to  say  to  me ;  or 
it  may  be  to  you,  Major  Atherton.' 

'  I  have  been  half  inclined  to  forbid  your  banns,  Mr.  Wei- 
don,'  said  the  Captain,  as  he  drew  near  him.  '  Methinks  it  is 
hardly  lawful  in  you  to  leave  your  distant  province  of  Con- 
necticut, and  steal  away  a  fair  daughter  from  our  land.' 

'  The  theft  was  committed  with  the  consent  of  all  parties 
concerned,'  returned  Mr.  Weldon ;  '  and  it  is  now  too  late 
to  enter  a  protest  against  our  proceedings.' 

'  Yes,  you  are  pretty  sure  of  your  prize  now,'  replied  the 
Captain;  'but  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  intend  to  remain  at 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  207 

Plymouth  for  this  winter,  were  it  only  for  the  sake  of  Miriam, 
who  could  hardly  do  without  her  cousin  at  this  time.' 

'  I  should  be  unwilling  to  expose  her  to  the  privations  and 
hardships  of  a  new  colony  in  the  wilderness,  at  this  season  of 
the  year,'  replied  Mr.  Weldon  ;  '  but  if  we  are  preserved  until 
the  spring,  I  think  we  may  venture  there  with  a  fair  prospect 
of  success  and  happiness ;  and  our  cousin  Miriam  has  prom- 
ised to  be  quite  reconciled  to  her  removal  then.' 

'  As  much  as  I  can  be,  you  mean,'  said  Miriam ;  '  and  on 
condition  that  you  wait  until  my  father  returns.' 

'  Perhaps  we  may  yet  induce  you  to  go  with  us,'  said  Lois ; 
'  will  you  not  assist  us  to  persuade  her,  Captain  Standish  ?  ' 

'  Not  I,' replied  the  Captain;  '  it  is  quite  enough  to  lose 
you,  and  we  will  not  suffer  Miriam  to  go,  even  for  a  short 
time.' 

'  Not  to  such  a  place,'  said  Calvert,  '  where  the  trees  are 
yet  scarcely  felled,  or  the  ground  prepared  to  bring  forth  food 
for  the  scanty  inhabitants ;  she  might  as  well  think  of  a  voy- 
age to  the  north  pole.' 

'  I  suppose  you  would  rather  recommend  the  balmy  breezes 
of  the  south,  Mr.  Calvert,'  said  the  Captain. 

'  Yes,'  returned  Calvert,  fixing  his  eyes  on  Miriam  ;  '  there 
is  some  enjoyment  in  life,  where  the  earth  is  ever  verdant,  the 
flowers  in  almost  perpetual  bloom,  and  the  trees  laden  with 
delicious  fruits.' 

'  I  should  think  one  would  grow  weary  from  very  same- 
ness,' said  Miriam  ;  '  and  really  my  own  climate  of  New- 
England  seems  far  pleasanter  to  me,  even  with  its  snow 
storms  and  bleak  winds,  which  but  render  the  return  of  spring 
more  grateful.' 

'  That  is  exactly  what  you  ought  to  say  and  think,  my  little 
rose-bud,'  said  the  Captain.  '  I  have  seen  many  countries,  but 
no  one  fairer  than  this,  or  more  desirable  ;  so  do  not  let  Mr.  Cal- 


208  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

vert  persuade  you  there  is  any  thing  better  to  be  found  under 
the  hot  sun  of  Virginia.' 

'  There  is  no  danger  of  it,  sir,'  replied  Miriam  ;  '  I  am  very 
incredulous  on  this  subject,  and  cannot  readily  believe  any 
land  happier  or  more  beautiful  than  the  one  I  have  lived  in, 
almost  from  my  birth.' 

'  Not  even  Old  England?'  asked  Peregrine  White,  archly. 
'  Major  Atherton  can  tell  you  wonderful  stories  about  that, 
Miriam  ;  and  some  which  may  change  your  mind,  perhaps.' 

'Not  in  the  least,'  replied  Miriam,  smiling,  but  deeply 
blushing;  'it  is  our  mother  country,  and  I  have  always  been 
taught  to  love  it,  but — ' 

'Keep  in  your  own  colony,' interrupted  the  Captain,  'this 
exploring  the  wilderness  is  a  seeking  out  of  new  inventions, 
which  does  not  suit  me,  so  long  as  we  have  room  enough  and 
to  spare  about  us.' 

'  You  did  not  think  so,  Captain,'  said  Lois,  '  seventeen  years 
ago,  when  you  used  to  toss  Miriam  in  your  arms,  and  run 
after  me  round  the  deck  of  the  Mayflower,  in  our  passage 
over  from  Holland.' 

'  I  was  seventeen  years  younger  then,'  replied  the  Captain, 
'  and  you  a  romping  child,  instead  of  a  grave  matron,  Mrs. 
Weldon  ;  and  we  came  for  the  rights  of  conscience,  which  you 
cannot  plead  in  excuse  for  removing  farther  off;  but  your  hus- 
band may  be  right  for  all  that,  Lois ;  it  is  well  to  provide  am- 
ple space  for  a  family ;  and  at  any  rate,  you  cannot  mend  the 
matter  now.' 

'  I  hope  she  will  never  have  cause  to  wish  it,'  said  Mr. 
Weldon. 

'  I  hope  not,'  returned  the  Captain  ;  '  but  repentance  will 
sometimes  creep  in  after  marriage  ;  it  is  a  short  ceremony, 
but  apt  to  bring  a  long  reckoning.' 

'  Yes,'  said  Calvert;  '  you  have  invented  a  very  summary 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  209 

way  of  joining  people  together ;  and  it  seems  to  me  quite  an 
improvement  on  the  ancient  mode  of  our  church  ;  one  is  saved 
a  vast  deal  of  time,  to  say  nothing  of  the  formidable  array  of 
book,  ring,  and  kneeling.' 

'  I  am  glad  to  hear  you  condemn  such  superfluities,'  said 
Mr.  Grey,  '  which  savor  much  of  the  worldly  spirit  of  vain 
glory.  I  hope,  Major  Atherton,  that  you  have  judged  as  fa- 
vorably of  our  forms  ?' 

'  I  see  nothing  to  condemn  in  the  form,'  returned  Atherton  ; 
'but  I  must  confess  myself  still  prejudiced  in  favor  of  that 
which  I  have  been  accustomed  to  witness ;  and  cannot  but 
consider  it  more  solemn  and  impressive.' 

'  Is  there  anything  more  binding,'  asked  Mr.  Grey,  'in  the 
giving  and  receiving  a  ring,  or  in  kneeling  rather  than  stand- 
ing ?' 

'  No,'  returned  Atherton  ;  '  nor  is  the  simple  act  of  joining 
the  hands,  which  we  all  allow,  in  itself  binding;  yet  custom 
has  equally  sanctioned  them  with  us  ;  and  it  is  not  easy  to  di- 
vest one's  self  of  its  influence.' 

'  Even  as  the  children  of  Canaan  clave  unto  their  graven 
images,  so  do  the  sons  of  prelacy  put  their  trust  in  the  vain 
pomps  and  ceremonies  of  their  religion,'  said  the  elderly  man 
who  had  reproved  Peregrine  White,  and  now  lent  an  attentive 
ear  to  the  conversation. 

'  I  hope,  sir,  you  will  absolve  us  from  willful  idolatry,'  re- 
turned Atherton ;  '  we  follow  the  path  which  our  fathers 
pointed  out,  as  most  congenial  to  the  spirit  of  the  gospel,  and 
the  practice  of  its  early  followers.' 

'  It  is  blindly  building  an  altar  to  the  "  unknown  God,''  '  re- 
plied the  other,  'and  seeking  to  please  him  with  offerings  and 
oblations,  in  which  he  hath  no  pleasure.' 

'  I  do  not  feel  myself  very  bigoted  to  forms,'  replied  Ather- 
ton, '  but  some  are  undoubtedly  expedient ;  and  long  expe- 


210  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

rience  has  proved  the  efficacy  of  those  which  we  have  adopt- 
ed.' 

'  The  wedding  ring,  for  instance,'  said  Calvert,  '  I  should 
hope  some  of  our  forms  were  more  happy  in  their  effects,  than 
that  sometime  proves  to  be.' 

'  Major  Atherton  knows  nothing  of  that  yet,'  said  Captain 
Standish,  who  had  listened  with  evident  impatience  to  his 
kinsman's  defence  of  such  obnoxious  ceremonies  ;  '  and  I  will 
be  bound  for  him,  if  he  can  get  a  wife  to  his  liking,  he  will 
not  stand  upon  rings,  or  kneeling,  or  any  such  troublesome  in- 
ventions of  priestcraft.' 

1  Now  who  would  think,'  said  Mistress  Rebecca  Spindle, 
'  of  using  a  ring  and  a  book  to  be  married  with,  unless  it  were 
a  papist,  or  some  such  like.' 

'  And  yet  it  is  better  than  not  to  be  married  at  all,'  re- 
plied Peregrine  White  ;  '  don't  you  think  so,  Mistress  Rebec- 
ca?' 

'  Heaven  forbid,  that  I  should  uphold  such  idolatrous  prac- 
tices,' ejaculated  the  spinster. 

'  But  tell  us  now,  Mistress  Spindle,'  returned  Peregrine, 
'  when  are  we  to  drink  your  health  at  your  own  wedding  ?  ' 

'  It  must  be  all  in  the  Lord's  own  good  time,'  replied  Re- 
becca, in  a  tone  of  resignation. 

1  But  you  doubtless  pray  that  the  time  may  be  shortened,' 
said  Peregrine,  gravely. 

'  Be  it  sooner  or  later,  matters  little  for  me  to  know,'  re- 
turned the  other,  '  our  times  are  not  in  our  own  hands.' 

'  I  think  it  cannot  be  much  later,'  replied  Peregrine,  '  what 
say  you,  Miriam  ? ' 

'  Mistress  Rebecca  can  best  judge  of  that  matter  herself,' 
said  Miriam,  '  unless  you  may  feel  inclined  to  decide  it  for 
her.' 

'  I  had  rather  undertake  to  do  it  for  you,'  answered  Pere- 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  211 

grine  ;  '  and  I  believe  there  would  be  more  than  one  ready  to 
assist  rne.' 

'  No  doubt  of  that,'  said  the  Captain  ;  '  but  I  tell  you,  Mas- 
ter Peregrine,  Miriam  does  not  need  any  of  your  interference  ; 
she  is  well  able  to  take  care  of  her  own  affairs.' 

'  Thank  you  Captain,'  said  Miriam  ;  '  I  must  crave  your  as- 
sistance oftener,  to  drill  Master  Peregrine  into  good  behavior  ; 
he  is  very  apt  to  rebel  against  me.' 

'  It  would  be  a  good  piece  of  service  to  us  all,  if  I  could  do 
so,'  replied  the  Captain  ;  '  but  I  would  sooner  undertake  to 
discipline  a  whole  regiment  of  recruits.' 

'  I  will  remove  myself  before  you  begin,'  said  Peregrine ; 
this  seems  a  second  part  of  the  good  man's  discourse,  who  lec- 
tured me  about  kissing  just  now  ;  and  I  will  make  room 
for  Master  Ashly,  who  is  coming  this  way,  to  hear  the  con- 
clusion.' 

'  Farewell,'  said  Miriam  ;  '  I  hope  the  exhortation  has  prov- 
ed a  "  word  in  season  to  you."  ' 

'  We  will  prove  that  by  and  bye,'  returned  Peregrine, '  when 
I  can  get  nearer  to  your  lips,  Miriam.  Yonder  is  the  Gover- 
nor and  all  the  grave  personages  of  the  land,  preparing  to  de- 
part; and  peace  go  with  them.  You  and  I,  Mistress  Rebecca, 
with  the  rest  of  the  young  people,  will  stay  behind,  and  throw 
the  stocking.' 

The  guests  at  that  moment  began  to  separate ;  and  the  el- 
derly and  married  ones,  after  shaking  hands  with  the  bride  and 
bridegroom,  and  repeating  their  good  wishes  returned  home, 
leaving  the  younger  part  of  the  company,  to  pursue  the  amuse- 
ments peculiar  to  the  occasion,  and  indulge  the  mirth  and  gai* 
ty  which  it  inspired. 


212  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER    XV. 

Oh  why  should  fate  sic  pleasure  have, 

Life's  dearest  bands  entwining  ? 
Or  why  sae  sweet  a  flower  as  love, 

Depend  on  Fortune's  shining  ? 

BUKNS. 

MAJOR  ATHERTON  was  among  the  last  who  quitted  Mr.  Grey's  ; 
and,  as  the  evening  was  rather  advanced,  he  was  readily  in- 
duced to  return  with  Peregrine  White  and  pass  the  night  at 
the  Governor's.  A  strong  north-west  wind  on  the  following 
morning,  proved  favorable  for  the  departure  of  Captain  Mar- 
tin's vessel;  and  soon  after  breakfast,  Mr.  Winslow  proposed 
calling  to  take  leave  of  Mr.  Grey,  in  the  expectation  that  he 
was  about  to  sail.  Atherton  readily  acceded  to  the  proposal, 
and  unwilling  to  intrude  on  his  domestic  privacy,  at  the  mo- 
ment of  separation  from  his  family,  they  proceeded  directly  to 
the  vessel,  intending  to  await  his  arrival  there.  They  found 
him  already  on  board  ;  for  Captain  Martin,  who  had  been  long 
detained  by  adverse  winds,  and  found  the  winter  approaching, 
held  every  thing  in  readiness,  to  take  advantage  of  the  first 
favorable  breeze ;  and  was  then  preparing  to  weigh  anchor 
and  depart. 

Mr.  Grey  was  standing  on  the  fore-castle  of  the  ship  with 
his  eyes  fixed  on  the  shore,  where  his  own  house  was  just 
visible  in  the  distance  ;  and  so  engaged  in  meditation  that  he 
did  not  perceive  the  approach  of  the  Governor  and  Major  Ath- 
erton, till  they  stood  directly  before  him. 

'The  Captain  has  been  expeditious  in  making  his  arrange- 


PBEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 


merits,'  said  Mr.  Winslow;  'I  hoped  for  a  longer  conference 
with  you,  before  your  departure.' 

'  Our  farewell  must  be  brief,'  returned  Mr.  Grey  ;  '  I  per- 
ceive they  are  already  waiting  for  us  ;  but  it  is  well,  perhaps, 
that  we  have  no  longer  time ;  for  I  feel  that  the  moment  of 
separation  is  too  bitter  to  be  prolonged.' 

'  They  whom  you  leave  behind,'  said  the  Governor,  '  are 
safe,  I  trust,  in  the  protection  of  Heaven,  and  surrounded  by 
friends  who  will  watch  over  their  safety,  and  minister  to  their 
comfort  and  welfare.' 

'  That  thought  has  power  to  console  me,'  replied  Mr.  Grey  ; 
1  while  I  cheerfully  entrust  my  child  to  the  guardian  care  of 
Him,  who  is  better  than  any  earthly  parent ;  I  feel  persuaded 
also,  that  I  may  confide  in  your  friendship,  should  any  unex- 
pected misfortune  arise  to  perplex  or  distress  her.' 

1  Suffer  no  anxious  thought  for  her  to  disturb  your  mind,' 
returned  Mr.  Winslow  ;  '  she  shall  be  unto  me  as  mine  own 
daughter,  and  to  my  wife  she  is  no  less  dear.' 

'  May  God  bless  you,  my  friend,'  said  Mr.  Grey,  with  emo- 
tion ;  '  and  now,  farewell !  Cease  not  to  make  mention  of  me 
in  your  prayers.' 

'  Farewell ! '  repeated  Mr.  Winslow  ;  '  and  may  He,  who 
commands  the  winds  and  stills  the  roaring  of  the  waves,  guide 
and  protect  you  in  all  your  ways,  and  return  you  in  safety  to 
us  again.' 

'  Amen,'  said  Mr.  Grey,  with  solemn  emphasis,  as  he  slow- 
ly released  his  hand  from  the  Governor,  and  offered  it  to  Ma- 
jor Atherton,  who  had  remained  a  silent  but  deeply  interested 
auditor  ;  and  scarcely  able  to  repress  the  impulse,  which 
urged  him  to  confess  his  attachment  for  Miriam,  and  entreat 
permission  of  her  father,  to  become  himself  her  protector  and 
husband.  But  the  recollection  of  their  late  interview,  with  a 
conviction  that  it  would  now  be  useless,  and  might  increase 


214  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

his  anxiety  respecting  her,  dissuaded  him  from  the  attempt, 
while,  in  some  embarrassment  he  waited  for  Mr.  Grey  to  ad- 
dress him. 

'  Major  Atherton,'  he  at  length  said,  '  I  may  meet  with  your 
friends  or  kindred,  whither  I  am  going  ;  and  if  I  can  do  you 
aught  of  service  with  them,  command  me  and  I  will  do  it 
cheerfully ;  for  you  have  shown  much  kindness  unto  me  and 
mine.' 

'  I  have  left  few  there  to  feel  interested  for  my  fate,'  replied 
Atherton  ;  '  and  to  them  I  have  already  written ;  but  there 
are  some  valued  friends  of  my  mother,  whom  you  may  chance 
to  meet ;  and  if  they  inquire  concerning  me,  say  to  them  that 
I  am  happy  and  contented.' 

'  And  shall  I  tell  them,'  asked  Mr.  Grey,  '  that  you  will  so- 
journ yet  a  long  time  in  this  land  ?  ' 

'  I  am  still  undecided,'  replied  Atherton  ;  '  it  may  be  but  for 
a  few  months,  and  possibly  for  many  years.' 

'  Commit  your  ways  to  Him,  who  ordereth  all  things  for 
the  best ;'  returned  Mr.  Grey  ;  '  and,  if  I  meet  you  here  on 
my  return  Major  Atherton,  may  it  be  in  peace,  and  with 
the  same  sentiments  of  regard  and  confidence,  with  which  I 
now  part  from  you.' 

'  I  trust  you  will  find  no  cause  to  withdraw  your  confidence 
and  regard  from  me,  sir,'  replied  Atherton  ;  and  the  firmness 
of  his  voice,  and  the  calmness  with  which  he  sustained  the 
searching  glance  of  Mr.  Grey,  seemed  to  reassure  the  latter, 
who  shook  him  cordially  by  the  hand;  and  having  exchanged 
their  parting  adieus,  the  Governor  and  Atherton  returned  to 
the  shore. 

Major  Atherton  soon  after  separated  from  Mr.  Winslow, 
and  ascending  a  slight  eminence,  which  commanded  a  view 
of  the  noble  Bay  of  Plymouth,  he  watched,  with  extreme  in- 
terest, the  progress  of  the  vessel,  as  with  swelling  sails  she 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGEIMS.  215 

rode  proudly  over  the  waves.  It  was  nearly  three  months 
since  the  same  bark  had  brought  him  from  the  land  to  which 
she  was  now  returning,  like  a  white  winged  messenger ;  and, 
'  why,'  he  asked  himself,  '  am  I  exiled  from  the  country  which 
gave  me  birth  ?  why  do  I  still  linger  on  these  shores,  an  un- 
known individual,  in  a  clime  which  yet  scarcely  bears  a  name 
on  the  map  of  civilization  ? '  He  started,  as  these  reflections 
crossed  his  mind,  and  looked  more  eagerly  upon  the  receding 
ship,  as  if  desirous  that  it  should  waft  him  back  to  the  home 
he  had  forsaken.  But  it  was  already  far  off  in  the  distance  ; 
the  busy  hum  of  the  sailors,  the  commanding  voice  of  the 
Captain,  were  borne  away  on  the  winds;  and  Atherton  re- 
peated, with  a  sigh,  '  Why  should  I  revisit  the  scenes  of  my 
boyhood  and  youth  ?  where  there  is  no  loved  voice  to  welcome 
me,  where  all  whom  I  held  most  dear,  have  been  prematurely 
snatched  from  my  embrace,  and  where  my  ambitious  hopes  of 
honor  and  distinction  have  been  blighted  in  the  bud.  Here 
there  is  at  least  one  being  to  attach  me,  and  here  I  will  re- 
main, until  her  lips  decide  my  destiny.' 

With  this  resolution,  Major  Atherton  walked  quickly  on- 
wards, till  he  found  himself  by  the  well-known  wicket,  which 
led  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Grey.  He  looked  earnestly  at  the 
windows,  but  no  person  was  visible  ;  and  fearful  that  a  visit 
from  him,  at  that  time,  would  be  unwelcome,  he  was  passing 
by  with  reluctant  steps,  when  the  door  opened  and  closed 
again,  with  some  violence  ;  and  looking  round,  he  saw  Mr. 
Calvert  coming  from  it  and  advancing  towards  him. 

'  Upon  my  word,  Major  Atherton,'  he  said,  '  you  haunt  this 
spot,  like  the  ghost  of  a  despairing  lover  ;  at  morning,  noon, 
and  night,  I  find  you  hovering  round  it, — ' 

'  Which  proves  your  frequent  visits  also,'  replied  Atherton ; 
'  and  are  they  made  in  the  same  unhappy  spirit  which  you 
attribute  to  me  ? ' 


216  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'  Entirely  the  reverse,'  said  Calvert ;  '  besides,  I  am  not  al- 
ways creeping  around  the  borders,  but  enter  boldly  into  the 
bower  of  my  pretty  nymph.' 

'  I  should  not  take  the  freedom  to  enter,  at  a  season  like  the 
present,'  said  Atherton,  '  when  she  can  scarcely  feel  in  spirits 
to  receive  the  visit  even  of  a  friend.' 

'  Your  scruples  are  certainly  very  delicate,'  said  Calvert, 
sarcastically ;  '  but  my  acquaintance,  you  will  remember,  is 
of  longer  standing,  which  entitles  me  to  greater  freedom.' 

'  And  you  are  not  very  fastidious  about  trifles,  I  think,'  re- 
turned Atherton  ;  '  but,  may  I  ask,  how  you  found  the  family 
within  ? ' 

*  If  you  mean  Mr.  Weldon,  and  old  Jemima,    the  house- 
maid, they  seemed  as  well  as  usual.' 

'  Were  your  efforts  at  consolation  directed  entirely  to  them  ?' 
asked  Atherton. 

'  To  tell  you  the  truth,  I  saw  no  others  to  exercise  it  upon, 
unless  it  were  Miriam's  kitten,'  said  Calvert,  pettishly. 

'  You  did  not  see  Miriam  Grey,  then  ?  returned  Atherton ; 
and  he  could  not  suppress  a  smile  of  pleasure. 

'  You  need  not  look  so  much  pleased  about  it,'  replied  Cal- 
vert. '  I  am  sure  it  is  no  strange  thing  for  girls  to  show  off 
their  importance,  by  such  capricious  airs  ;  and  Lois  would 
doubtless  like  to  display  her  authority,  now  she  has  become  a 
matron.' 

*  Did  Mrs.  Weldon  prohibit  Miriam  from  appearing  ? '  in- 
quired Atherton. 

'  Very  likely,'  said  Calvert ;  '  but  I  did  not  see  her  either  ; 
they  were  wailing  together,  in  some  dark  corner,  for  aught  I 
know  ;  but  you  had  better  go  in,  Major ;  perhaps  you  will  be 
more  successful.' 

'  Excuse  me ;'  replied  Atherton  ;  '  I  am  not  fond  of  mak- 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  217 

ing  experiments  ;  and  it  would  be  particularly  rash,  when  you 
have  so  recently  failed.' 

'  You  are  too  cautious  to  be  a  dangerous  rival,'  said  Cal- 
vert;  '  so  I  forgive  your  joy  at  my  defeat  just  now;  which 
really  does  not  cause  me  the  least  inquietude.  Women  are 
fickle  beings  at  the  best;  and  may  well  be  allowed  their 
whims  before  marriage,  since  no  man  of  sense  will  indulge 
them  afterwards.  And  so,  good  morning  to  you.' 

Major  Atherton  returned  home,  in  unusually  good  spirits, 
which  led  Captain  Standish  to  remark,  '  that  the  wedding  had 
produced  a  wholesome  effect  on  him  ;  and  that  he  hoped  to 
congratulate  him  on  his  own  before  long.' 

Atherton  was  not  displeased  at  the  wish;  nor  at  a  succeed- 
ing proposition,  that  they  should,  the  following  day,  pay  their 
respects  to  Mrs.  Weldon  and  see  how  Miriam  fared  in  her 
father's  absence. 

The  visit  was  accordingly  made  ;  and  they  found  Miriam, 
more  cheerful  than  they  expected,  and  almost  reconciled  to  the 
separation.  Atherton  spoke  of  her  father,  and  mentioned  that 
he  had  seen  him,  at  the  moment  of  his  departure  ;  a  circum- 
stance which  seemed  to  give  him  additional  interest  with  her; 
and  she  asked  numberless  questions  respecting  him,  that  he 
was  never  weary  of  answering.  An  hour  or  two  passed  by  ; 
and  when  the  Captain  spoke  of  their  return,  Atherton  thought 
them  the  shortest  and  most  delightful  he  had  ever  spent;  nor 
was  it  without  evident  reluctance  that  he  rose  to  accompany 
him. 

Another  week  glided  away,  almost  the  happiest  of  Major 
Atherton's  life;  for  some  portion  of  every  day  he  passed  in 
the  society  of  Miriam,  and  his  approach  was  welcomed  by  her, 
with  a  brighter  smile,  and  deeper  glow  than  usually  adorned 
her  countenance.  These  expressions  of  pleasure,  of  which, 
with  an  artlessness  that  rendered  them  more  attractive,  she 
19 


218  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

seemed  perfectly  unconscious,  Atherton  could  not  fail  to  re- 
gard as  indications  that  he  had  awakened  some  interest  in  her 
affections ;  and  with  the  sanguine  hopes  which  time  had  not 
yet  taught  him  to  distrust,  he  indulged  the  most  flattering 
dreams,  forgetful  of  her  father's  interdiction,  and  of  every  ob- 
stacle which  could  oppose  his  wishes.  Frank  and  undis- 
guised in  his  disposition,  Captain  Standish  easily  penetrated 
his  views  and  feelings;  but  he  made  no  comment  on  them  ; 
and  only  occasionally  hazarded  a  jest  on  his  frequent  visits  to 
Miriam  Grey.  In  these  visits  he  was  sometimes  his  com- 
panion, and  readily  detected,  through  the  delicate  reserve,  per- 
haps consciousness,  which  led  Miriam  to  direct  her  attentions 
and  conversation  less  freely  to  Alherton  than  any  other ; 
an  incipient  preference,  which,  thus  disguised,  might  have 
escaped  an  unobservant  eye. 

To  the  mind  of  Mrs.  Weldori,  the  situation  of  her  cousin 
occasioned  many  anxious  and  perplexing  thoughts.  Too  so- 
licitous for  her  happiness,  not  to  remark  the  attachment  which 
appeared  to  be  daily  strengthening,  between  Miriam  and  Ma- 
jor Atherton,  she  yet  felt  unable  to  avert  it,  or  to  interrupt  their 
intercourse,  which  she  knew  must  meet  the  disapprobation  of 
her  father,  and  probably  terminate  in  disappointment  to  them 
both.  Mr.  Grey  had  ever  placed  unbounded  confidence  in 
the  discretion  of  his  niece,  and  in  the  dutiful  affection  of  his 
daughter;  and  Lois  felt  a  degree  of  responsibility  during  his 
absence  which  increased  her  uneasiness,  and  determined  her 
to  remind  Miriam  of  her  duty,  and  the  submission  which  she 
owed  to  the  wishes  of  her  father. 

One  day,  when  Major  Atherton  had  not  been  with  them  as 
usual,  and  Miriam  discovered  many  symptoms  of  disappoint- 
ment, Mrs.  Weldon,  after  observing  her  for  some  time  in  si- 
lence, at  length  said, — 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  219 

'  You  are  unusually  grave  to-day,  Miriam  ;  has  any  thing 
happened  to  give  you  uneasiness  ?  ' 

'  No,  nothing,  Lois,'  said  Miriam  ;  '  but  I  believe  the  dull- 
ness of  the  weather  affects  my  spirits.'  And  she  arose  from, 
her  chair,  and  crossing  the  room,  seated  herself  by  a  win- 
dow. 

'  You  did  not  use  to  regard  such  trifles,  Miriam,  but  were 
as  cheerful  in  storms  as  in  sunshine.' 

'  Yes,  when  my  father  was  at  home ;  but  I  cannot  now 
avoid  many  anxious  thoughts  respecting  him. ' 

'  And  were  you  less  anxious  for  him  two  days  since,  when 
it  stormed  so  violently  ?  '  asked  Lois. 

'  No,  but  Mr.  Calvert  was  here  then,  and  one  cannot  but 
be  gay  where  he  is  ;  besides,  he  assured  me  that  the  vessel 
was  beyond  the  reach  of  our  storms.' 

'  And  Major  Atherton  was  here  too,'  said  Lois ;  '  did  you 
forget  to  mention  him  ? ' 

Miriam  made  no  reply,  but  looked .  steadfastly  upon  the 
leafless  branches  of  the  trees,  which  rustled  against  the  case- 
ment. 

'  I  did  not  think,  Miriam,'  continued  Lois,  '  that  Mr.  Cal- 
vert would  render  you  so  entirely  forgetful  of  Major  Ather- 
ton.' 

'  You  cannot  believe,  Lois,'  said  Miriam,  turning  to  her 
with  vivacity,  '  that  I  do,  for  a  moment,  prefer  Mr.  Caleert, 
or  even  place  him  in  comparison  with — '  She  stopped  abrupt- 
ly, abashed  by  a  smile  which  lurked  on  the  countenance  of 
Lois. 

'No,  dear  Miriam,'  said  Mrs.  Weldon,  after  a  moment's 
pause,  '  I  only  fear  that  you  think  too  highly  of  Major  Ather- 
ton, and  too  frequently.' 

'  And  why  should  you  fear  that,  Lois  ?  how  often  have  I 


220  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

heard  you  speak  warmly  in  his  praise  ;  and  surely  he  has 
done  nothing  to  forfeit  your  regard.' 

'  Nothing,  Miriam  ;  I  believe  him  deserving  of  the  high 
opinion  which  we  all  entertain  of  him.' 

'  Why  then  should  we  withdraw  it,  Lois  ?  I,  at  least,  who 
am  indebted  to  him  for  my  recovered  life,  should  be  ungrate- 
ful to  repay  his  kindness  with  cold  indifference.' 

'I  would  not  have  you  ungrateful  or  indifferent,  Miriam; 
but  guard  your  feelings,  lest  they  betray  you  into  warmer 
sentiments  than  are  consistent  with  your  duty  and  happiness.' 

'  Surely,  dear  Lois,'  said  Miriam  with  alarm,  '  I  have  be- 
trayed no  undue  partiality — nothing  which  can  be  deemed 
improper  or  unbecoming ! ' 

'  I  spoke  of  the  future,  not  the  past,  Miriam.  I  would 
awaken  your  prudence,  not  alarm  your  delicacy.  Your  own 
discretion  can  alone  direct  you.  Major  Atherton  seeks  not  to 
disguise  his  affection  for  you  ;  and  he  hopes  to  obtain  yours 
in  return.' 

'  It  cannot,  must  not  be  so  ; '  replied  Miriam,  deeply  blush- 
ing ;  '  and  believe  me,  Lois,  the  wishes  of  my  father  shall  not 
be  disregarded.' 

'  Let  them  ever  continue  sacred  to  you  ;'  returned  Lois  ; 
'remember  your  voluntary  promise  to  consult  his  will,  and  it 
may  save  you  many  unhappy  moments,  many  painful  reflec- 
tions. And  now,  tell  me,  Miriam,  that  you  forgive  my  inter- 
ference ? ' 

'  I  thank  you  for  it,  dear  Lois,'  said  Miriam  ;  '  and  I  be- 
lieve you  were  in  this,  as  in  every  other  thing,  actuated  by 
kindness  to  me.  But  I  think,'  she  added,  more  gaily,  'you 
have  not  exacted  impossibilities  from  me.' 

Mrs.  Weldon  looked  a  moment  in  silence,  at  her  cousin's 
varying  complexion  ;  and  then  kissing  her  affectionately,  left 
her  to  the  indulgence  of  her  own  reflections. 


PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  221 

Miriam  stood  at  the  window  with  her  eyes  fixed  on  the 
passing  clouds,  till  unconsciously  they  became  filled  with, 
tears  which  gathered  in  large  drops,  and  rolled  unheeded 
down  her  cheeks.  But  she  was  soon  roused  from  this  situa- 
tion by  the  appearance  of  Major  Atherton,  who  hastily  flung 
open  the  wicket,  and  with  quick  footsteps  approached  the 
door.  Miriam  finding  it  impossible  to  retire  without  observa- 
tion, endeavored  to  wipe  away  the  traces  of  her  emotion,  and 
receive  him  with  her  usual  cheerfulness.  For  the  first  time, 
however,  her  manner  was  constrained  and  embarrassed  ;  and 
the  animation  of  Atherton  vanished,  when  he  perceived  the 
dejection  which  her  efforts  were  unable  to  disguise. 

'  Dear  Miriam,  why  are  you  so  sad  ?  '  he  asked,  in  a  voice 
of  anxious  tenderness,  and  thrown  off'  his  guard  by  an  ap- 
pearance of  melancholy  so  unusual  to  her. 

'  I  have  been  watching  these  watery  clouds,'  she  replied, 
averting  her  face  from  him,  'till  they  have  imparted  their 
gloomy  influence  to  me  ;  the  angry  tossing  of  the  waves  too, 
as  they  dash  against  the  rocks,  remind  me  of  the  terrors  and 
perils  of  the  sea.' 

'  Nay  then,'  said  Atherton,  '  I  must  not  allow  you  to  look 
on  objects  which  fill  your  imagination  with  such  sombre  ima- 
ges.' And  he  gently  led  her  towards  the  fire,  and  seated 
himself  beside  her. 

'  But  I  can  still  hear  the  rushing  of  the  wind,'  said  Miriam, 
smiling,  '  and  the  sound  is  scarcely  less  appalling  to  me.' 

'  Its  influence  cannot  extend  beyond  the  coast,'  returned 
Atherton  ;  '  and  I  trust  your  father  is  now  far  distant  beneath 
a  clearer  sky,  and  borne  on  by  favorable  gales.' 

'  But  where  all  is  uncertain,'  replied  Miriam,  'it  is  impos- 
sible to  exclude  doubt  and  anxiety  from  the  mind.' 

'How  happy  should  I  be,'  said  Atherton,  fervently,  '  coujd 
I  ever  hope  to  be  regarded  with  so  much  interest.' 
19* 


222  PEEP     AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 

'  And  do  you  feel  so  very  destitute  of  friends,'  asked  Miri- 
am, reproachfully,  '  as  to  believe  there  are  none  here,  who 
would  feel  solicitude  for  your  welfare  and  happiness  ?  ' 

'I  trust  there  are  many,  and  those  whose  esteem  I  highly 
prize  ;  '  returned  Atherton  ;  '  but  'the  favor  of  the  whole  world 
were  vain  and  joyless  to  me,  Miriam,  unless  blessed  with  the 
love  which  I  so  ardently  aspire  to  gain.' 

Miriam  drooped  her  eyes  beneath  his  impassioned  gaze  ; 
but  determined  to  conceal  the  emotions  which  really  agitated 
her,  she  resumed  an  air  of  unconcern,  and  with  apparent  gay- 
ety,  replied, — 

'And  like  Haman  of  old,  every  blessing  is  valueless  in  your 
eyes,  so  long  as  one  desire  is  withholden  from  you  !  but  re- 
member his  fate  is  recorded  for  our  learning,  on  whom  the 
ends  of  the  earth  have  come  ! ' 

Atherton  looked  at  her  in  surprise  and  perplexity,  as  if 
seeking  an  explanation  of  a  levity  so  sudden  and  ill-timed ; 
but  deceived  by  her  transient  self-possession,  and  deeply 
wounded  by  her  supposed  indifference,  he  hastily  rose,  and  in 
a  voice  of  touching  melancholy,  replied, — 

'Pardon  my  presumption,  Miriam;  and  when  I  am  far 
from  you,  think  of  me  at  least  with  kindness.' 

'  Far  from  me  !  when,  whither  are  you  going  ? '  asked 
Miriam,  quickly  ;  and  surprised  out  of  her  caution,  by  his 
unexpected  words  and  manner. 

Atherton  had  turned  from  her,  but  the  hurried  and  anxious 
tone  in  which  she  spoke,  revived  his  hopes,  and  instantly  re- 
called him. 

'  You  alone  can  decide  for  me,  Miriam,'  he  said,  eagerly; 
'  for  I  place  my  destiny  at  your  disposal.' 

'  You  have  chosen  a  blind  guide,'  said  Miriam,  with  recov- 
ered composure,  '  since  I  am  entirely  ignorant  of  your  circum- 
stances and  designs.' 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  223 

'  Why,  Miriam,'  returned  Atherton,  '  do  you  thus  misun- 
derstand me  ?  need  you  any  further  proofs  to  convince  you, 
that  without  you  every  place  must  become  dreary  to  me,  and 
every  enjoyment  a  source  of  bitterness  ?  ' 

'  Suffer  me  not,'  replied  Miriam,  with  a  flushed  cheek,  and 
unsteady  voice,  '  to  interfere  with  your  pursuits,  or  interrupt 
the  plans  of  enjoyment  which  have  drawn  you  hither.' 

'  Happiness  is  the  object  of  my  pursuit,'  said  Atherton  ; 
'and  I  find  it  centered  in  you;  restless  and  disappointed  I  left 
my  native  land  ;  but  in  your  presence,  life  has  renewed  the 
sunshine  and  beauty  which  gladdened  my  early  days,  and 
which,  removed  from  you,  would  again  wither  and  fade 
away.  Dearest  Miriam,  you  alone  are  the  inspirer  and  the 
object  of  all  my  hopes;  and  surely  you  cannot,  will  not,  con- 
demn me  to  protracted  misery  and  disappointment.' 

'  Nothing  in  my  power  to  grant,'  said  Miriam,  with  emo- 
tion, '  would  I  willingly  deny  you.' 

'  And  are  not  your  hand  and  heart  at  your  own  disposal  ?  ' 
asked  Atherton,  with  animation  ;  'grant  me  these,  dear  Miri- 
am, for  these  only  can  render  me  happy.' 

'  They  can  never,  never  be  yours  ! '  replied  Miriam  ;  and 
hastily  withdrawing  her  hand,  she  covered  her  eyes  and  re- 
mained silent. 

'  Have  I  been  deceived  ? '  asked  Atherton,  steadily  regard- 
ing her  pale  cheek  and  quivering  lip.  '  Oh  no,  I  feel  that 
you  love  me,  Miriam,  and  no  cruel  interdiction  shall  ever  sep- 
arate us.' 

'  Leave  me,  Major  Atherton,'  said  Miriam,  mildly  ;  '  I  have 
not  sought  to  deceive  you  ;  but  it  is  enough  to  know  that  our 
fates  can  never  be  united.' 

'  And  would  you  thus  banish  me  from  your  presence,' 
asked  Atherton,  impetuously,  '  without  assigning  the  cause, 
without  one  word  of  regret?  No,  Miriam,  never  will  I  leave 


224  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

you,  unless  your  own  lips  pronounce  that  I  am  hateful  to 
you.' 

'  And  would  that  render  you  more  contented  ? '  asked  Miri- 
am, with  a  mournful  smile,  '  I  would  not  part  with  you,  but 
with  expressions  of  gratitude  and  kindness.' 

'  And  what  would  they  avail  me?  '  returned  Atherton,  '  if 
deprived  of  your  society,  and  robbed  of  every  hope  which  can 
render  life  supportable  ?  ' 

'  Would  you  reject  my  friendship,  because  you  cannot  re- 
ceive my  love  ?  '  asked  Miriam.  '  Has  not  our  intercourse 
been  hitherto  more  rational,  more  delightful,  than  it  can  ever 
be,  when  passions  such  as  these  agitate  our  interviews  ?  ' 

'  Hitherto  1  believed  my  tenderness  returned,'  said  Ather- 
ton, '  and  indulged  the  hope,  that  a  closer  union  would  at 
length  bind  us  to  each  other.  Let  me  still  indulge  that  hope, 
Miriam,  however  distant  the  day,  allow  me  still  to  believe  my 
constancy  will  be  crowned  with  success,  and  I  can  patiently 
endure  the  tortures  of  suspense,  and  the  agony  of  protracted 
hope.' 

4  It  is  impossible,'  said  Miriam  ;  '  deceive  not  yourself  with 
an  expectation  which  can  never  be  realized  ;  forget  that  you 
have  ever  known  me,  Atherton,  or  remember  me  only  as  a 
friend,  a  sister.' 

'  And  is  it  you,  Miriam,  who  thus  condemn  me  to 
despair  ?  and  with  a  voice  so  gentle,  a  face  so  mild  and  benig- 
nant ?  Tell  me,'  he  added  almost  wildly,  '  is  your  heart  im- 
penetrable, or  have  you  devoted  it  to  another  ?  ' 

'  Do  not  torment  yourself  with  suspicions  which  are  ground- 
less,' replied  Miriam;  '  but  should  you  feel  more  resigned, 
Atherton,  to  believe  your  fancied  unhappiness  shared  by  me  ? 
would  it  be  any  alleviation  to  find  me  also  doomed  to  struggle 
against  a  passion  which  my  reason  would  condemn,  and  my 
duty  could  never  sanction  ?  ' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  225 

1  No,  dearest  Miriam,'  said  Atherton,  '  I  am  not  so  very 
selfish  ;  but  tell  me  why  should  your  reason  and  your  duty 
disapprove  it  ?  and  what  is  this  mighty  obstacle  to  our  love? 
can  no  sacrifice,  no  exertions  of  mine,  remove  it?  ' 

'  No,  none  which  I  can  expect  or  desire  from  you,'  said 
Miriam. 

'  Is  it  my  religion  alone  ?  '  pursued  Atherton  ;  '  will  your 
father  blast  all  the  opening  prospects  of  my  life,  because  my 
faith  is  different  from  his  own  ?' 

'  Ask  me  not,'  said  Miriam,  rising  with  agitation  ;  why 
should  we  prolong  a  conference  so  painful  to  us  both  ?  ' 

'  Stay  yet  a  moment  longer,'  said  Atherton,  earnestly;  '  do 
not  reject  me,  Miriam,  till  your  father  returns,  and  I  can 
plead  my  cause  to  him.  Tell  me  only,  that  if  he  does  not  re- 
prove my  wishes,  you  will  listen  to  the  pleadings  of  my  love, 
and  I  may  yet  look  forward  to  success  and  happiness.' 

'  You  ask  what  I  cannot,  ought  not  to  grant  you,'  replied 
Miriam  ;  'and  why  should  you  increase  the  bitterness  of  dis- 
appointment, by  vainly  indulging  hopes  which  can  never  be 
realized  ? ' 

'  The  cause  exists  in  your  own  indifference,'  said  Atherton 
vehemently  ;  '  why  should  I  seek  farther  for  it  ?  Every  word 
you  utter,  is  but  a  new  proof  that  I  deceived  myself  in  believ- 
ing you  honored  me  with  your  regard.' 

'  Is  there  no  medium,'  asked  Miriam,  with  a  trembling 
voice,  '  between  the  extravagance  of  passion,  and  the  coldness 
of  indifference  ?  but  I  forgive  your  injustice,  Atherton  ;  in  a 
moment  of  cooler  reason  you  will  feel  that  I  do  not  deserve  it ; 
that  I  am  not  so  ungrateful  as  you  now  believe  me.' 

Miriam  turned  from  him  as  she  finished  speaking,  and  bent 
her  head  to  conceal  the  tears  which  filled  her  eyes ;  but  Ma- 
jor Atherton  again  seized  her  hand,  and  with  all  the  incon- 
sistency of  passion,  exclaimed, — 


226  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

'Miriam,  you  cannot  love  me,  or  you  would  not  yield  thus 
calmly  to  the  cold  dictates  of  rigid  duty  ;  you  would  not 
banish  me  from  your  presence  without  one  word  of  hope, 
one  smile  of  encouragement !  Dearest  Miriam,  I  could  en- 
dure every  thing,  were  I  only  assured  that  you  understood 
my  feelings  and  shared  the  bitterness  of  my  regret.' 

1  At  least,  believe,'  said  Miriam,  mildly,  '  that  you  have  ex- 
cited many  anxious  thoughts,  many  emotions  that  I  would 
fain  avoid,  by  a  display  of  impetuous  and  ungoverned  feel- 
ing, which  I  had  not  expected  from  you  ;  and  pardon  me, 
Major  Atherton,  which  I  must  consider  unbecoming  your 
principles  and  character.' 

'  I  cannot  endure  your  reproaches,  Miriam,'  replied  Ather- 
jon  ;  '  if  you  do  not  love,  at  least  pity  and  forgive  me.  But 
what  avails  it  ?'  he  added,  in  a  tone  of  sadness ;  '  and  why 
should  I  still  linger  here  ?  Forget  this  interview  if  possible, 
and  think  of  me  as  you  were  wont  to  do,  in  the  early  days  of 
our  acquaintance ;  and  now  farewell,  beloved  Miriam  !  per- 
haps forever  !'  And  he  pressed  her  unresisting  hand  with 
fervor  to  his  lips. 

'What  mean  you,'  said  Miriam,  with  quick  alarm,  'and 
whither  are  you  going?  surely  you  contemplate  no  rash 
enterprise  ?' 

'  I  go  from  you,'  said  Atherton,  '  and  where,  it  matters  not ; 
all  places  are  henceforth  alike  to  me.' 

'  Say  not  so,'  replied  Miriam ;  '  but  rather  exert  the  firm- 
ness of  your  spirit  and  subdue  a  predilection,  which  it  is  your 
duty  and  interest  to  repress,  and  which  must  yield  at  length 
to  the  assuasive  influence  of  time.' 

'  Impossible !  it  never  can,'  said  Atherton  ;  'do  not  seek  to 
move  me  from  my  purpose ;  do  not,  Miriam,  shake  the 
feeble  resolution  I  have  struggled  to  acquire  ;  here,  I  cannot 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  227 

remain  with  safety ;  and  absence  from  you,  may  perhaps  ren- 
der my  disappointment  less  insupportable.' 

'  Go,  then,'  said  Miriam,  vainly  endeavoring  to  speak  with 
composure ;  '  and  may  God  watch  over  you  and  protect 
you.' 

Atherton  still  held  her  hand,  with  deep  but  silent  emo- 
tion ;  fearful  to  trust  himself  again  to  speak,  yet  reluctant  to 
tear  himself  from  her  presence  ;  when  the  sudden  entrance 
of  Mrs.  Weldon  aroused  him  to  immediate  exertion.  Too 
much  agitated  however,  to  enter  into  an  explanation,  which 
her  looks  seemed  to  demand,  he  rushed  hastily  past  her,  and 
in  a  moment  was  in  the  open  air. 

The  evening  was  closing  in,  shrouded  with  clouds  and 
gloom  ;  though  some  faint  streaks  of  light  which  lingered 
after  the  setting  sun,  seemed  to  give  promise  of  a  brighter 
morrow.  But  Major  Atherton  felt  this  darkness  far  more 
congenial  to  his  feelings  than  the  glare  of  day ;  and  closely 
enveloped  in  his  cloak,  with  even  his  face  concealed  within 
its  folds,  he  wandered  on,  he  knew  not,  cared  not  whither,  till 
he  found  himself  approaching  the  sea-shore.  Atherton 
threw  back  the  cloak,  and  looked  earnestly  upon  the  restless 
ocean  :  the  monotonous  moaning  of  the  waves,  as  they  broke 
upon  the  pebbly  beach,  the  whistling  of  the  wind,  and  the  shrill 
cry  of  the  sea-birds,  as  they  swooped  to  dip  their  wings 
in  the  watery  element,  and  eddyed  around  his  head  in  re- 
turning to  their  craggy  nests, — dreary  as  were  the  sounds, 
they  combined  to  fill  his  mind  with  a  melancholy,  but  sooth- 
ing influence.  As  he  stood  thus,  his  eyes  were  involuntarily 
attracted  by  a  small  vessel  lying  at  anchor,  from  which  pro- 
ceeded the  sounds  of  labor ;  and  in  the  imperfect  twilight, 
he  perceived  several  persons  busied  at  the  hatchways,  while 
others  were  repairing  the  masts,  apparently  in  prepar- 
ation for  an  intended  voyage.  Atherton  instantly  recognized 


228  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

the  Massachusetts  bark,  which  had  been  some  time  in  the 
harbor ;  and  prompted  by  a  sudden  resolution',  he  sprang 
upon  a  projecting  rock  and  leaped  from  crag  to  crag,  till  he 
came  near  enough  to  hail  those  on  board.  He  was  answered 
by  a  respectable  looking  man,  who  seemed  to  be  the  master, 
and  of  him,  Atherton  inquired  if  *  they  were  bound  to  the 
Massachusetts  Bay  ?'  and  received  a  civil  reply  in  the 
affirmative. 

*  And  how  soon  do  you  intend  to  sail  ?'  pursued  Atherton. 
'Tomorrow,  if  the  wind  is  fair,  and  it  seems  to  be  turning 

about  the  right  way.' 

'Can  you  take  a  passenger  with  you,  Master?'  asked 
Aiherton, 

*  We  have  room  and  to  spare,'  replied  the  man,  '  if  you 
can  put  up  with  our  poor  fare  and  accommodations.' 

'  I  care  not  for  that,  friend,'  returned  Atherton,  '  and  shall 
hold  myself  in  readiness  to  depart  with  you.' 

'  We  will  get  things  in  the  best  order  possible  ;  and  the 
king  can  do  no  better,'  said  the  man  ;  '  and  God  willing,  we 
hope  to  clear  out  of  port  at  an  early  hour.' 

4  The  sooner  the  better,'  said  Atherton  ;  '  and  I  owe  you 
thanks,  Master,  for  your  readiness  to  oblige.' 

Considerably  relieved  by  this  unexpected  arrangement, 
Major  Atherton  hastened  homewards  ;  but  as  he  re-entered 
the  house  he  had  lately  quitted  with  such  buoyant  hopes,  the 
mental  change  which  a  few  hours  had  produced,  sensibly 
affected  him  ;  and  yielding  to  the  excitement  of  his  feelings, 
he  threw  himself  into  a  chair  and  covered  his  face  with  his 
hands.  Captain  Standish,  whom  in  the  agitation  of  the  mo- 
ment, he  had  not  observed,  alone  occupied  the  apartment,  and 
regarded  his  unusual  conduct  with  extreme  surprise,  not 
unmixed  with  alarm. 


PEEP    AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  229 

'  Cousin  Atherton,'  he  at  length  said,  '  are  you  stark  mad, 
or  what  in  the  name  of  wonder  ails  you  ?' 

Atherton  started  at  the  sound  of  his  voice  ;  and  after 
struggling  a  moment  to  regain  his  firmness,  replied, — 

'Excuse  me,  sir;  but  I  did  not  see  you;  I  could  think  of 
nothing  but  my  own  selfish  regrets  and  disappointments.' 

4  Speak  out  frankly,  like  a  soldier,  Edward,'  returned  the 
Captain;  'I  am  more  in  the  dark  than  ever;  but  I  always 
thought  you  would  get  no  good  by  going  so  often  to  Plymouth, 
and  taking  such  long  walks  in  the  night  air.' 

4 1  have  indeed,  met  only  with  evil,'  said  Atherton,  bitterly  ; 
'  but  who  could  have  believed  it  existed  under  so  fair  a 
form? ' 

'Ah!  I  begin  to  understand  you,'  returned,  the  Captain|; 
'something  about  my  rose-bud,  I'll  warrant  you;  a  love- 
quarrel  perhaps;  but  it  will  soon  be  made  up  again,  if  I  have 
any  skill  in  smiles  and  blushes.' 

4  No,  no,'  said  Atherton,  quickly ;  '  I  shall  never  see  her 
more.' 

4  You  will  think  better  of  that  tomorrow,  cousin  Atherton ; 
and  so  bear  up  with  a  good  heart,  and  remember  girls  are 
apt  to  mean  more  than  they  say,  and  sometimes  say  more 
than  they  mean.' 

'  She  does  not,  I  know  but  too  well,'  replied  Atherton  ; 
and  after  a  short  pause,  he  added,  '  I  wish  not  to  withhold  my 
confidence  from  you,  sir;  but  allow  me  to  be  brief.  She  has 
slighted  my  love,  rejected  my  hand,  and  what  remains  for  me 
to  seek  or  enjoy  ?' 

He  walked  across  the  room  with  hurried  steps,  as  he  con- 
cluded ;  and  the  Captain,  whose  countenance  expressed  a 
lively  sympathy,  took  his  hand  kindly,  and  said, — 

'  This  must  not  be,  Edward ;  depend  upon  it,  there  is  some 
mistake,  some  foolish  whim,  perhaps  ;  for  Miriam  may  love 
20 


230  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

to  teaze  as  well  as  the  rest  of  her  giddy  sex ;  but  suffer  me 
to  speak  with  her,  I  can  explain  all,  and  it  may  yet  be  well 
with  you.' 

1  It  cannot  be,'  returned  Atherton  ;  '  she  will  not  listen  to 
you,  neither  can  I  suffer  her  to  be  persuaded,  if  her  heart  is 
not  interested  to  plead  my  cause.  No,  I  would  never  endure 
to  receive  her  compassion,  as  a  substitute  for  her  love  ;  and,  if 
duty  is  the  obstacle,  I  ought  not,  perhaps,  to  oppose  it.  I 
thank  you  sir,  for  this, — for  all  your  kindness  to  me  ;  and 
think  me  not  ungrateful;  but  tomorrow,  I  must  quit  your 
hospitable  roof  for  a  season.  At  present,  I  should  but  bur- 
then you  with  my  society  ;  and,  in  absence,  I  hope  to  subdue 
a  weakness,  which  I  blush  to  expose.  Nay,  seek  not  to  dis- 
suade me,'  he  added, — seeing  the  Captain  about  to  speak, — 
'  and  I  must  now  beg  permission  to  retire.' 

Captain  Standish  offered  no  further  remonstrance,  aware  of 
its  inefficacy,  at  the  moment  of  keen  excitement ;  and  hoping 
he  would  be  disposed  to  listen  more  favorably,  after  a  night 
of  repose  had  in  some  degree  soothed  the  irritation  of  his 
feelings. 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  281 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

Methinks  I  have  a  curiosity 

To  know  this  country,  that  for  ages  past, 

Lay  hid,  and  you  have  now  found  out  at  last. 

WOLCOTT. 

CAPTAIN  STANDTSH,  on  the  following  morning  renewed  his  ar- 
guments and  entreaties  ;  but  they  proved  equally  ineffectual, 
as  on  the  preceding  evening,  to  change  the  determination  of 
Major  Atherton,  though  he  had  recovered  his  usual  self-pos- 
session, and  even  a  degree  of  his  customary  cheerfulness. — 
Pride,  alone,  would  doubtless  have  done  much  to  sustain  him 
under  his  disappointment ;  but  in  addition  to  this  powerful 
aid,  he  indulged  a  secret  persuasion,  that  Miriam  Grey  was 
actuated  by  duty,  rather  than  inclination,  in  rejecting  his  suit; 
and  with  it  the  hope  that  time  would  produce  a  change  in  her 
decision,  which  at  present  he  could  not  effect ;  and  situated  as 
she  was,  particularly  during  her  father's  absence,  he,  perhaps, 
ought  not  to  attempt.  A  few  hours  of  cool  reflection  con- 
vinced him  of  the  weakness  and  folly  of  yielding  to  the  im- 
petuosity of  his  feelings  ;  and,  happily,  his  mind  had  been 
early  regulated  by  principle  and  subjected  to  the  government 
of  reason;  while  he  possessed  that  elasticity  of  spirit, 
which  always  rose  with  renewed  energy  from  the  pressure  of 
misfortune. 

Captain  Standish  was  pleased  to  find  that  the  subject  of 
his  intended  visit  to  the  Massachusetts,  interested  the  mind 
of  Atherton,  and  readily  consulted  with  him,  on  the  most 
probable  means  of  rendering  it  useful  and  agreeable  ;  and  al- 


232  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

so  prepared  several  letters,  which  would  introduce  him  toper- 
sons  of  distinction  there.  These  brief  preliminaries  being  set- 
tled, Atherton  bade  farewell  to  his  kinsman,  with  the  promise 
of  returning  as  soon  as-circumstances  would  permit ;  and  mak- 
ing a  hasty  call  at  the  Governor's  as  he  proceeded  on  his  way, 
before  the  hour  of  noon  he  was  wafted  from  the  harbor  of 
Plymouth. 

Major  Atherton  sighed  as  he  looked  back  upon  the  friendly 
shore  he  was  quitting;  and  the  dreariness  of  nature,  the  leaf- 
less trees,  the  stubble  fields,  the  hills  embrowned  by  frost,  and 
the  valleys  withered  by  the  approach  of  winter,  presented  a 
striking  contrast  to  the  same  scene,  as  he  had  first  observ- 
ed it,  when  in  the  luxuriance  of  autumn,  waving  with  the 
golden  harvest,  rich  with  variegated  foliage,  refreshed  by  ver- 
dure, and  animated  with  flocks  and  herds.  For  a  moment, 
the  gloomy  analogy  seemed  applicable  to  the  change  produced 
in  his  own  feelings.  But  shaking  off  such  melancholy  re- 
flections, he  turned  his  eyes  towards  the  Blue  Hills  of  Massa- 
chusetts, which  appeared  to  dilate,  as  they  approached  near 
and  nearer;  and  the  clouds  that  rested  on  their  summits  grad- 
ually rolled  away,  unvailing  their  majestic  proportions ;  and 
again  the  bewitching  spirit  of  adventure,  the  all  powerful  charm 
of  novelty,  took  possession  of  his  mind.  The  day,  notwith- 
standing, passed  tediously  away  ;  the  after  part  of  it  became 
cloudy,  and  their  course  was  impeded  by  contrary  winds  ; 
and  chilled  and  weary,  he  retired  early  to  the  berth  allotted 
him. 

As  soon  as  Atherton  awoke  in  the  morning,  he  hastened 
on  deck,  to  note  the  progess  they  had  made  ;  and  with 
delighted  surprise,  found  the  vessel  just  entering  the  har- 
bor of  Boston.  So  novel  and  beautiful  was  the  scene  pre- 
sented to  his  view,  that  he  could  scarcely  persuade  himself, 


PEEP    AT    THE  PILGRIMS.  233 

that  he  was  not  suddenly  transported  to  the  regions  of  fairy- 
land. 

A  slight  fall  of  snow,  which  descended  during  the  night,  had 
invested  the  earth  with  its  fleecy  covering,  and  robed  every 
object  with  a  drapery  of  dazzling  white,  finely  contrasted  to 
the  brilliant  azure  of  the  cloudless  sky,  and  the  deep  green  of 
the  ocean  waves.  The  numerous  islands,  which  gem  the  wa- 
ters of  the  Bay,  all  wore  the  same  unsullied  vestment,  while 
each  tree  was  tufted  with  the  wintry  foliage,  which  wreathed 
the  smallest  spray,  and  every  slender  shrub  and  clustering 
vine  trembled  beneath  the  feathery  burthen. 

But,  even  while  gazing,  the  glittering  .pageant  faded  from, 
the  eye  ;  the  warm  beams  of  the  rising  sun  spread,  like  a 
blush  over  the  stainless  surface;  and  yielding  to  their  influ- 
ence, the  delicate  frost-work  melted  from  tree,  shrub,  and  vine, 
and  descended  in  broken  masses  to  the  ground.  As  nature 
threw  off  the  fantastic  dress  she  had  assumed,  Atherton  was 
powerfully  struck  by  the  grandeur  of  her  form,  and  the  end- 
less variety  of  lineament  which  characterizes  her,  in  a  land 
where  the  magnificent  and  the  beautiful  are  blended,  with 
such  exquisite  and  unrivaled  skill.  The  vessel  was  passing 
through  the  narrow  channel,  which  forms  the  entrance  to  the 
harbor,  and  then  expands  into  a  deep  and  capacious  basin  ; — 
on  the  left,  the  Blue  Hills  were  still  visible,  forming  a  part  of 
the  lofty  range,  which  rises  gradually  from  the  shores  of  the 
Massachusetts,  almost  encircling  the  coast,  and  broken  at  in- 
tervals into  deep  ravines  and  extensive  valleys,  then  almost  in 
the  untutored  wildness  of  nature  ; — where  many  a  silver 
stream  rolled  its  fertilizing  waves,  unmarked  by  any  eye  save 
that  of  the  Indian  hunter,  and  unimproved,  but  by  the  in- 
dustrious beaver,  who  erected  his  ingenious  habitation  on  its 
bank. 

Major   Atherton  gazed   with  unwearied  pleasure  on    the 
20* 


234  PEEP     AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 


boundless  prospect ;  lovely  and  majestic  in  its  outlines,  though 
the  freshness  and  bloom  of  summer  were  wanting  to  complete 
its  attractions,  and  clothe  with  verdure  the  undulating  forests 
and  fruitful  plains.  Near  him  were  the  commanding  heights 
of  Dorchester,  then  unknown  to  fame  :  more  distant,  the  wood- 
crowned  eminence  of  Noonantum,  where  soon  after,  com- 
menced the  missionary  labors  of  the  American  Apostle,  the 
devoted  Eliot,  who  there  gathered  around  him  the  red  children 
of  the  forest,  and  instructed  them  in  the  duties  of  religion  and 
the  arts  of  civilization  ;  nearer,  again,  arose  the  memorable 
summit  of  Bunker  Hill,  where  the  first  laurels  were  plucked 
to  garland  the  brow  of  liberty ;  while  far  in  the  northern  ho- 
rizon, like  floating  clouds,  were  visible  the  stupendous  moun- 
tains, which  pervade  the  then  unexplored  regions  of  New 
Hampshire.  Traces  of  cultivation  were  apparent  within  this 
extensive  range  ;  and  that  spirit  of  enterprise,  which  marked 
the  early  settlers  of  New  England,  and  has  never  deserted 
their  descendents,  was  already  observable  in  the  rapid  im- 
provements which  their  industry  had  accomplished.  In  many 
places,  the  axe  of  the  adventurer  had  felled  the  trees  of  the 
wilderness  ;  and  in  their  stead  appeared  at  intervals,  the  clus- 
tering tenements,  the  mud-walled  church,  and  wooden  palis- 
ade, denoting  the  foundation  of  a  town,  or  village,  most  of 
which  have  since  risen  into  wealth  and  importance. 

But  the  attention  of  Atherton  was  confined  to  a  narrower 
circle,  as  they  advanced  into  the  harbor,  and  swiftly  glided 
on  between  the  beautiful  islands,  which  it  embraces.-  A  few 
of  these  were  still  in  a  state  of  nature ;  some  were  barren 
rocks,  others  thinly  wooded,  and  several  partially  cleared  and 
improved.  One,  called  the  '  Governor's  Garden,'  and  appro- 
priated particularly  to  his  use, — and  which  is  still  in  posses- 
sion of  the  lineal  descendents  of  the  first  Governor  of  Massa- 
chusetts, was  arranged  with  considerable  regularity  and  taste, 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  235 

and  prettily  contrasted  wiih  the  wild  ness  of  those  around  it. 
Noddle's  island,  on  which  was  situated  the  mansion  house  of 
Mr.  Maverick,  well  fortified  against  hostile  attack  ;  and  Cas- 
tle Island,  with  its  fort  and  battlements,  the  crimson  banner  of 
royalty  floating  from  its  walls,  and  the  guards,  in  military 
costume,  pacing  their  rounds  with  measured  steps, — gave  an 
air  of  spirit  and  vivacity  to  the  scene. 

Boston,  the  now  admired  and  celebrated  capital  of  New- 
England, — then  in  its  infancy,  and  presenting  the  appearance 
of  an  inconsiderable  hamlet,  burst  upon  the  view,  with  that 
commanding  grandeur  and  beauty  of  situation,  which  still  dis- 
tinguish it ;  but  almost  in  the  rudeness  of  its  native  charms, 
which  have  long  since  been  exchanged  for  the  garniture  of 
wealth,  and  the  confusion  of  business  and  pleasure.  Major 
Atherton  remarked  every  object  with  interest ;  and  though 
now  accustomed  to  the  rural  simplicity  of  American  towns, 
the  local  advantages  and  superiority  of  Boston  over  any  that 
he  had  yet  seen,  excited  his  admiration  ;  while  his  approach 
to  it  renewed  the  novel  and  delightful  sensations,  which  he 
felt,  on  first  viewing  the  coast  of  Plymouth. 

It  was  yet  early  in  the  morning,  when  the  little  vessel  an- 
chored, not  far  from  a  cliff  at  the  eastern  part  of  the  town, 
which  with  two  sister  hills,  formed  a  picturesque  group,  ob- 
servable from  a  considerable  distance,  and  originally  gave  the 
name  of  Trimountain  to  the  place.  But  succeeding  genera- 
tions have  nearly  leveled  them,  and  their  site  is  now  covered 
with  broad  and  paved  streets,  and  ornamented  with  the  splen- 
did mansions  of  the  rich  and  fashionable,  and  the  costly  edi- 
fices of  public  munificence. 

Atherton  gladly  accepted  the  civilities  of  the  master  of  the 
boat,  who  offered  to  conduct  him  to  the  only  inn  which  Bos- 
ton then  contained  ;  where  he  found  decent  accommodations, 
and  an  apartment  which  was  at  least  cleanly,  and  entirely  at  his 


236  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

own  disposal.  Having  taken  formal  possession  of  his  new 
lodgings,  Major  Atherton  ordered  some  refreshments,  of  which 
he  invited  his  guide  to  partake,  whose  decent  manners  and 
obliging  conduct,  since  they  had  been  thrown  together,  he 
deemed  worthy  of  some  attention.  The  invitation  was  accept- 
ed, with  many  apologies,  by  his  humble  companion,  who  how- 
ever seemed  duly  sensible  of  the  honor,  and  resolved  to  show 
his  gratitude,  by  doing  ample  justice  to  the  well-dressed  vi- 
ands set  before  them,  which  to  Atherton  particularly,  formed  a 
welcome  contrast  to  the  coarse  provisions,  served  up  during 
their  voyage.  The  table  was  prepared  in  a  room,  apparently 
set  apart  for  the  important  business  of  eating  and  drinking ; 
there  were  in  it  oaken  tables  of  every  size,  and  benches  of  di- 
vers lengths,  suited  to  the  number  of  guests  ;  and  moreover, 
an  abundance  of  wooden  trenchers  and  pewter  pots,  in  readi- 
ness, at  a  moment's  warning,  with  all  the  apparatus,  liable  to 
be  put  in  requisition,  by  the  imperious  cravings  of  hunger  or 
thirst.  But  on  this  occasion,  the  landlord  had  garnished  the 
board  with  his  choice  service  of  shining  pewter ;  having  pre- 
viously received  information  from  the  master,  that  Major  Ath- 
erton was  a  gentleman,  and  not  sparing  of  his  money;  and, 
withal  a  kinsman  of  the  Plymouth  Captain.  Yet  it  behooves 
us  to  add  that  the  good  woman,  who  ruled  the  household  and 
himself,  refused  to  deliver  up  the  platters,  which  she  had 
cleaned  with  her  own  hands,  until  by  peeping  through  abroad 
crack  in  the  partition,  she  received  occular  demonstration  that 
he  was  a  genteel  and  comely  youth  :  from  which,  we  may  in- 
fer, that  even  in  the  golden  days  of  puritanism,  women  would 
sometimes  dispute  the  commands  of  that  nobler  sex,  to  whom 
they  owe  the  most  dutiful  submission. 

They  were  scarcely  seated  at  table,  when  Atherton  observ- 
ed a  man  of  peculiar  appearance,  sauntering  past  the  half 
open  door,  and  looking  in  upon  them,  with  suspicious  curios- 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  237 

ity.  He  was  evidently  of  the  lower  order,  and  his  large  gaunt 
figure  was  rendered  more  ungainly  by  a  total  disregard  to  the 
outward  man,  touching  the  manner  of  apparel.  His  broad, 
turned  up  nose,  and  thick  lips,  which  seemed  formed  for  vul- 
gar good-nature,  were  drawn  down  to  the  utmost  limits  that 
the  longitude  of  his  face  would  admit,  and  contracted  into  an 
ascetic  expression,  not  at  all  relieved  by  the  ungracious  leer 
of  his  greenish  eyes,  which  stood  forth  like  the  orbs  of  a  bee- 
tle, and  were  surmounted  by  a  square  built  skull,  clipped  with 
the  formal  precision  of  self-complacent  sanctity.  Having 
passed  and  repassed  the  door  several  times,  he  boldly  entered, 
and  threw  himself  on  a  bench  with  the  air  of  one  who  is  con- 
scious of  possessing  authority,  which  he  is  nevertheless  some- 
what afraid  of  executing;  and  continued  to  regard  Atherton 
and  his  companion  with  immovable  gravity,  noting,  with 
particular  attention,  whenever  they  raised  the  cup  to  their 
lips. 

Major  Atherton,  for  some  time  disregarded  this  scrutiny  ; 
but  as  the  stranger  discovered  no  disposition  to  retire,  he  at 
length  felt  vexed  with  his  impertinent  intrusion,  and  endeav- 
ored to  reprove  him,  by  a  look  of  stern  displeasure.  For  a 
moment  it  proved  successful ;  he  twisted  on  the  seat,  and  with 
some  violence,  twirled  between  his  ringers  a  small  baton  which 
he  carried ;  but  as  Atherton  returned  to  his  employment,  in 
the  belief  that  he  had  effected  his  object,  the  other  also  resum- 
ed his  dull,  gloomy  composure,  and  again  fixed  his  eyes  on 
him,  in  the  most  annoying  manner.  Atherton,  provoked  in 
spite  of  himself,  at  the  unmannerly  inquisition,  asked  in  a 
tone  of  severity, 

'  Is  there  aught  you  would  desire  of  me,  Master,  that  you 
thus  obtrude  into  my  presence  ?' 

'  The  godly  rulers  of  our  land,'  replied  the  man,  with  a 
slow,  emphatic  accent,  'have  raised  up  me,  their  unworthy 


238  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

servant,  to  execute  their  will ;  and,  for  this  purpose  have  I 
now  come  hither.' 

'  And  have  they  appointed  you,'  resumed  Atherton,  '  to 
watch  the  motions  of  strangers,  and  thrust  yourself  upon  them 
undesired  ?  ' 

'  Such  is  mine  honorable  employment,'  returned  the  other ; 
'even  to  purge  iniquity  from  the  land  and  preserve  our  city 
from  pollution.' 

'  You  have  chosen  a  singular  method  to  effect  this  salutary 
purpose,'  said  Atherton  ;  '  but  I  must  beg  you  to  explain  it 
more  at  large  to  me.' 

W ith  the  manner  of  one  who  is  about  to  commence  a  hom- 
ily, the  stranger  stretched  out  his  hand  and  replied, — 

'  Who  hath  wo  ?  who  hath  sorrow  ?  who  hath  contentions  ? 
who  hath  redness  of  eyes?  they  that  tarry  long  at  the  wine, 
they  that  go  to  seek  mixed  wine.' 

'  We  are  not  among  those  "  that  rise  up  early"  to  "  follow 
strong  drink  ;  "  '  returned  Atherton  ;  '  and  the  suspicions  you 
seem  to  entertain  of  us  are  quite  unfounded  ;  we  can  there- 
fore spare  you  the  trouble  of  further  attendance  here.' 

'  He  that  is  surety  for  a  stranger  shall  smart  for  it,'  replied 
the  other ;  '  and  therefore  must  mine  own  eyes  be  faithful 
witnesses  in  the  things  whereunto  I  am  called.' 

'  Your  lips  would  be  the  fitter  vouchers  in  this  instance,' 
said  Atherton,  who  began  to  feel  his  curiosity  excited  by  the 
singular  character  and  employment  of  his  new  acquaintance ; 
'  and  you  need  but  taste  of  mine  host's  home-brewed  ale,  to  be 
convinced  he  has  paid  due  regard  to  the  rules  of  sobriety  in 
the  admixture  of  its  ingredients.' 

The  stranger  slowly  waved  his  hand  as  if  to  repel  the  temp- 
tation, and  replied, — 

'  Look  not  thou  upon  the  wine  when  it  is  red,  when  it  giv- 
eth  his  color  in  the  cup,  when  it  moveth itself  aright;  which, 


PEEP    AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  239 

— as  our  worthy  minister  remarked  when  exhorting  from  that 
text, — is  applicable  unto  any  liquor  that  may  tempt  the  un- 
godly to  drink  to  excess  and  surfeiting.' 

1  And  by  what  authority,'  asked  Atherton,  '  are  you  em- 
powered to  scrutinize  the  conduct  of  individuals  who  may 
chance  to  sojourn  here  ?  ' 

'  By  the  authority  of  those  who  are  set  as  watchmen  on  the 
walls  of  our  Zion,'  replied  the  other  ;  '  whose  duty  it  is  to 
see  that  riot  and  drunkenness  prevail  not  within  the  city  of 
their  habitation.' 

'I  am  not  disposed  to  dispute  your  office,'  said  Atherton, 
'  though  it  is  so  extraordinary  that  a  stranger  might  well  be 
excused  for  doing  so  ;  neither  do  I  feel  obliged  to  submit  to 
your  judgment,  or  at  all  inclined  to  endure  your  intrusive  ex- 
amination.' 

'  In  which  case,'  replied  the  constable,  '  the  well-known 
laws  of  the  colony  must  be  my  refuge,  seeing  they  will  up- 
hold me  so  long  as  I  bear  this  staff,  which,  like  the  rod  that 
was  borne  by  Aaron  of  old,  is  a  just  symbol  of  my  power.' 

'  And  in  all  cases,  if  I  understand  you  rightly,'  said  Ather- 
ton, 'you  are  constituted  a  judge  over  the  heads  and  con- 
sciences of  those  who  come  here,  and  are  entitled  to  decide 
how  much  each  can  bear  ?  ' 

1  It  is  even  so,'  replied  the  other,  '  touching  the  strangers 
who  enter  within  our  gates,  and  sit  at  our  public  boards ;  they 
being  allowed  to  drink  freely,  what  in  my  discretion  I  may 
opine  sufficient ;  and  no  more  is  permitted  to  be  given  unto 
them.' 

'  You  must  exercise  a  thankless  office,'  said  Atherton ;  '  and 
is  any  penalty  attached  to  the  violation  of  your  commands.' 

'  I  am  commissioned  to  apprehend  such  offenders,  and  de- 
tain them  until  they  deliver  up  the  ordinary  fine,'  replied  the 
constable. 


240  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'  You  are  witness  that  we  have  kept  within  the  bounds  of 
temperance,'  said  Atherton,  rising  from  table  ;  '  but  at  an- 
other time  I  would  rather  pay  a  heavy  fine  than  be  vexed  with 
such  troublesome  company.' 

Major  Atherton  left  the  room  as  he  finished  speaking,  in- 
tending to  walk  out  and  view  the  town ;  and  the  moment  he 
had  passed  the  outer  door,  the  landlord,  with  a  countenance 
which  had  lost  much  of  its  placid  expression,  entered  the 
apartment  still  occupied  by  the  constable,  and  in  no  very 
soothing  voice  said  to  him, — 

'  Master  Constable,  you  will  not  leave  me  a  guest  to  sit  at 
my  board,  and  you  come  here  in  such  an  unmannerly  way  to 
gaze  at  gentle  and  simple.' 

'  Master  Cole, 'returned  the  other,  '  we  have  heretofore  had 
divers  words  touching  this  matter ;  but  whether  it  is  right  to 
give  heed  unto  your  request  rather  than  to  obey  the  will  of 
those  I  am  bound  to  serve;  judge  ye.' 

'  The  Lord  forbid  I  should  seek  to  tempt  you  from  your 
duty,'  returned  the  landlord,  in  a  conciliatory  tone;  'yet, 
sure  I  am,  friend,  that  you  would  not  wish  to  deprive  me  of 
my  lawful  gains,  nor  refuse  to  show  me  a  kindness,  which 
could  not  harm  yourself.' 

'  Ye  cannot  serve  God  and  mammon,'  replied  the  immova- 
ble constable  ;  '  and  I  will  perform  my  duty  like  a  faithful 
steward,  and  not  look  on  while  the  sons  of  Belial  drain  the 
intoxicating  cup,  without  lifting  up  my  voice  against  it.' 

'  Now  prithee,  Master  Constable,'  returned  the  host,  '  must 
you  look  at  every  thing  before  you  ?  instruct  me  and  you  can 
in  the  needfulness  of  that? ' 

'  Expound  unto  me  first,  if  it  please  you,'  said  the  other, 
'  wherefore  the  eyes  of  man  are  planted  like  larrips  in 
his  forehead,  unless  it  be  to  discern  between  the  evil  and  the 
good  ? ' 

'  Methinks  one  of  yours  might  suffice  as  well  as  two  of  or- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  241 

dinary  size,'  returned  the  landlord  ;  '  and  if  you  will  shut  the 
other,  friend,  and  let  me  keep  on  your  blind  side,  in  a  neigh- 
borly way,  you  will  lose  nought  by  your  civility  ;  and  I  may 
gain  somewhat  in  these  hard  times.' 

'  Get  thee  behind  me,  Satan,'  replied  the  officer  of  justice, 
rising,  and  striking  his  baton  violently  on  the  bench  ;  '  would'st 
thou  tempt  me  to  do  iniquity  in  order  to  gratify  thy  greediness 
of  gain  ? ' 

*  Good  Master  Constable,  thou  dost  altogether  mistake  me,' 
returned  the  landlord,  obtruding  his  head  from  behind  a  tall 
elbow  chair,  whither  he  had  retreated  for  safety.     '  I  do  but 
ask  you  to  be  civil  to  those  who  enter  my  doors,  and  for  the 
rest  no  man  can  say  that  I  have  not  honestly  abided  by  the 
laws,  albeit  to  the  loss  of  my  worldly  profit.' 

'  Is  not  drunkenness  lifting  up  its  voice  in  our  streets  ?  '  re- 
sumed the  constable,  striking  the  point  of  his  staff  emphati- 
cally on  the  floor ;  '  and  did  not  your  own  brother,  Richard 
Cole,  drink  at  your  tap  till  he  changed  himself  into  a  brute  ? 
and  was  he  not  for  the  punishment  thereof,  and  for  an  en- 
sample  unto  others,  sentenced  by  the  honorable  court  to  wear 
a  red  D  about  his  neck  for  the  space  of  one  year?  ' 

'  What  sort  of  an  uproar  have  we  here  ? '  exclaimed  the 
landlady,  entering  with  some  haste  ;  '  is  this  the  way  you 
keep  the  peace,  Master  Constable,  making  an  outcry  that  is  a 
scandal  in  a  gospel  land ! ' 

1  Avaunt  woman,'  said  the  constable,  reseating  himself  com- 
posedly, and  motioning  her  away  with  his  stick;  '  we  need 
not  your  interference,  nor  any  of  your  chattering  sex,  which 
since  the  fall  of  Adam  hath  been  the  cause  of  strifes  and  dis- 
sensions among  the  sons  of  men.' 

*  I  wonder  what   you  would   do    without  us,  poor  shiftless 
drones  that  you  are  ! '  replied  the  dame,  ecornfully  ;  and  ad- 
vancing still  nearer  to  the  baton  from  which  her  husband  had 

21 


242  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

retreated  ;  '  And  tell  me  now  what  you  have  been  doing  to 
my  good-man  that  he  is  skulking  behind  the  chairs  like  a  fox 
in  a  hen-roost  ?  ' 

'  Thine  husband  hath  sold  himself  to  do  evil,'  replied  the 
Constable,  '  therefore  did  fear  come  upon  him,  when  I  lifted 
up  my  rod  of  justice.' 

'Out  upon  your  false  tongue  now,' returned  the  woman, 
'  is  he  not  one  who  "  escheweth  evil,"  and  withholdeth  drink 
from  those  who  importune  him,  even  to  the  measure  which 
you  allow  ? ' 

'  All  who  come  hither  can  bear  me  witness,  that  I  have  ever 
kept  a  quiet  and  orderly  house,'  said  Master  Cole,  venturing 
forward,  encouraged  by  the  boldness  of  his  help-male,  '  and 
whosoever  affirrneth  to  the  contrary,  saith  that  which  is  false 
and  not  true.' 

'  Is  it  from  a  clear  conscience,  Master  Cole,  that  you  have 
held  back  the  cup  from  the  drunkard  ? '  -asked  the  Constable, 
1  or  from"  the  fear  of  man,  lest  you  should  lose  your  employ- 
ment, by  disobeying  those,  who  have  appointed  me  to  deter- 
mine the  measure  which  shall  be  meted  out  ?  ' 

'  And  is  it  not  enough  that  you  do  that  ?  '  retorted  Mistress 
Cole,  '  without  thrusting  yourself  into  the  presence  of  gentle- 
folk, and  throwing  your  ungainly  carcass  in  their  way,  all  the 
time  that  they  are  eating?  I  should  not  wonder  if  they  came 
not  hither  again,  after  such  like  mannerless  behavior.' 

'  It  would  be  well  if  they  did  not,'  returned  the  Constable, 
'  our  land  hath  been  already  too  much  infested  with  strangers, 
and  the  upholders  of  prelacy,  who  have  caused  many  to  err 
from  the  paths  of  knowledge.' 

'Speak  of  that  you  know,  Master, '  returned  the  dame; 
'  there  may  be  such  among  the  base  and  low,  whom  you  daily 
see ;  but  it  is  not  every  day  we  have  a  discreet  and  handsome 
young  gentleman,  like  this  Major  Atherton,  with  us,  who  has 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  243 

served  too  the  king's  majesty  and  his  country.  Is  it  likely 
that  such  an  one  should  be  given  to  strong  drink? ' 

'  The  high  and  low,  dame  Cole,  are  alike  in  the  eye  of  the 
law  and  the  gospel ;  neither  is  the  rich  a  whit  less  given  to  ex- 
cess than  the  poor ;  and  we,  who  are  charged  to  execute  the 
laws,  are  bound  to  be  no  respecters  of  persons,  but  to  give 
unto  each  his  portion  in  due  season.' 

4  "Well,  well,  do  your  own  pleasure  in  that, 'said  Mistress  Cole, 
'  but  my  good  cooking,  and  good  management  will  avail  me 
nought,  so  long  as  a  clumsy  brute,  like  you,  is  crowding  into 
every  body's  mess ;  and  look  you  to  it,  Master  ;  it  shall  not 
be  so  again  while  I  am  Mistress  in  this  house.' 

She  shook  her  hand  with  a  menacing  gesture  as  she  con- 
cluded ;  and  seizing  her  spouse  by  the  arm,  led  him  from  the 
room,  and  closed  the  door  with  some  violence  after  her. 

'  Mistress  and  Master  too,  I  think ;  '  muttered  the  offended 
minister  of  the  law,  '  but  am  not  I  Jeremiah  Handcuff,  a  C^n- 
stable  of  this  town  of  Boston,  appointed  by  the  most  honora- 
ble Governor,  with  the  consent  of  his  worshipful"*  council  ? 
Yes,  that  I  am,'  he  added,  rising  with  an  air  of  importance, 
and  balancing  the  insignium  of  his  office  upon  his  hand,  '  and 
so  I  will  keep  fast  to  my  duty,  come  what  may,  and  the  law 
will  uphold  me.' 

Thus  finishing  his  soliloquy,  the  Constable  walked  slowly 
from  the  house  ;  but  in  passing  through  an  adjoining  apart- 
ment, he  again  encountered  the  landlady,  who,  with  arms 
a-kimbo,  stood  directly  in  his  way,  apparently  resolved  not  to 
yield  one  iota  of  her  dignity,  or  her  room.  Master  Handcuff, 
animated  by  the  same  accommodating  spirit,  brushed  hastily 
past  her,  and  as  he  did  so,  knocked  her  round-eared  cap  com- 
pletely awry.  f 

'  The  Lord  help  us !  '  ejaculated  the  wrathful  dame,  as  she 


244  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

adjusted  her  head  gear,  '  when  some  people  get  raised  up  to 
office  they  take  such  airs  upon  themselves  !  ' 

'  If  you  had  kept  out  of  his  way,  Deborah,'  said  her  hus- 
band, '  the  man  would  not  have  run  against  you.' 

'  Sure  now,  Jacob,'  returned  the  wife,  '  wasn't  it  he  that 
came  in  my  way  ?  but  every  body  wouldn't  sit  still  and  see 
their  wife  insulted  for  nothing, — no,  and  you  wouldn't  once, 
Jacob ; '  and  she  applied  a  corner  of  her  apron  to  her  eyes  ; 
but  Master  Cole  could  not  perceive  that  it  was  at  all  wetted, 
and  calmly  answered, — 

'You  can  stand  your  own  ground  pretty  well,  dame;  and 
it  is  only  ill  will  that  one  gets  by  meddling  in  another's  quar- 
rels.' 

'  It  is  well  I  can,  Master  Cole,'  said  the  indignant  dame, 
twitching  the  apron  from  her  eyes,  '  and  I  wish  some  other 
folk  whom  1  could  name,  knew  how  to  exercise  a  proper  and 
becoming  spirit.' 

'  There  is  more  than  enough  to  keep  the  house  in  a  turmoil 
from  morning  to  night  without  my  help;  '  retorted  the  good 
man ;  and  like  a  prudent  general,  he  retired  from  the  field  to 
avoid  further  contest  and  final  defeat. 

Major  Atherton  entered  just  as  he  quitted  the  room;  and 
dame  Cole  instantly  resumed  her  smiles,  with  the  facility  so 
natural  to  her  sex  on  similar  occasions. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  245 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

A  robe  of  seeming  truth  and  trust 

Hid  crafty  observation ; 
And  secret  hung,  with  poison'd  crust, 

The  dirk  of  Defamation. 

HYPOCBISY,  A-LA-MODE. 

THERE  were  few  things,  perhaps,  in  the  early  settlement  of 
New  England,  more  calculated  to.  impress  strangers  with  a 
just  idea  of  the  extreme  strictness  of  its  government  and  man- 
ners, than  the  rigid  observance  of  the  Sabbath  day,  which  was 
universal  throughout  every  class  of  citizens.  Fines  and  im- 
prisonment awaited  those  who  disregarded  it.  Every  species 
of  labor  during  its  consecrated  hours  was  considered  sacri- 
legious, and  the  most  distant  approach  to  levity, — almost  to 
cheerfulness  of  conversation  or  behavior, — reprehensible  in 
the  highest  degree.  It  is  even  recorded  of  a  worthy  minis- 
ter, that  being  led  away  by  the  suggestions  of  Satan,  he  was 
thereby  tempted  to  kiss  his  wife  while  arranging  his  bands  in 
preparation  for  the  pulpit ;  and  was  forthwith  arraigned  be- 
fore a  meeting  of  his  church,  and  severely  censured  for  the 
ungodly  deed. 

Major  Atherton,  on  arriving  at  Plymouth,  had  been  struck 
with  this  unusual  respect  for  the  institutions  of  religion,  so 
strongly  contrasted  with  the  practice  in  his  native  country ; 
where  the  principles  of  church  government  admitted  greater 
license,  and  were  particularly  liable  to  abuse  during  a  reign, 
marked  from  its  commencement  by  civil  discord,  and  almost 
freed  from  those  moral  restraints  which  the  unfortunate 
Charles  might  in  happier  times  have  suggested  and  enforced. 
21* 


246  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

But  in  the  Massachusetts'  settlements  this  rigid  discipline 
was  even  more  remarkable  than  in  the  sister  colony  of  Plym- 
outh ;  and  when  Major  Atherton  arose  on  the  morning  of  the 
first  Sabbath  that  he  spent  there,  he  was  for  some  moments 
unable  to  account  for  the  perfect  quiet  which  reigned  in  every 
apartment ;  so  different  from  the  bustle  and  confusion  com- 
monly attendant  on  a  public  house.  The  hum  of  business 
was  suspended,  the  tapster's  room  deserted  by  its  daily  visit- 
ants, and  in  the  kitchen — the  usual  scene  of  bustling  import- 
ance— the  landlord  was  quietly  seated  with  his  folio  bible,  and 
audibly  perusing  its  sacred  contents.  He  however  occasioned 
no  interruption  to  his  worthy  dame,  who  having  ranged  her  chil- 
dren on  a  bench  and  commanded  silence,  proceeded  in  a  still 
more  audible  voice  to  catechise  them,  occasionally  stopping  to 
give  a  hearty  shake  to  some  luckless  urchin  who  betrayed  signs 
of  heedlessness  or  stupidity,  in  order  to  stir  up  his  mind  by 
way  of  remembering  the  oft-repeated  task.  Atherton  thought 
that  even  the  cat  moved  round  on  tiptoe,  and  that  the  animals 
in  the  cow-yard  lowed  with  unusual  gravity.  The  same  mo- 
notonous calm  everywhere  prevailed ;  no  persons  were  visible 
at  the  windows  of  their  dwellings  or  in  the  streets,  until  the  cus- 
tomary hour  of  public  devotion  arrived,  when  the  inhabitants 
of  every  description  sallied  forth,  and  proceeded  to  the  place 
of  worship. 

Boston  at  that  time  contained  but  one  church,  which  stood 
not  far  from  the  spot  now  occupied  by  the  old  state-house,  and 
was  built  with  mud  walls  and  covered  by  a  thatched  roof.  Its 
interior  corresponded  with  the  rude  architecture  of  the  out- 
side ;  and  the  unadorned  pulpit,  the  low  benches,  placed  in 
rows  to  accommodate  the  Puritan  congregation,  alone  distin- 
guished it  as  a  place  of  worship.  To  this  humble  temple, 
where  the  Most  High  was  adored  perhaps  with  more  fervor 
and  sincerity  than  in  the  gorgeous  cathedrals  of  the  old  world, 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  247 

Atherton  directed  his  steps,  and  reached  the  door  at  the  mo- 
ment the  Governor  and  his  retinue  were  entering. 

Mr.,  afterwards  Sir  Henry  Vane,  who  then  held  the  office 
of  chief  magistrate,  assumed  a  degree  of  state  hitherto  un- 
known in  the  colony,  and  which,  though  willingly  conceded 
to  his  rank  by  many,  became  to  others  a  subject  of  offence  ; 
and  his  administration,  at  first  exceedingly  popular,  began 
shortly  to  fall  into  disrepute.  The  people  were  prejudiced  in 
his  favor  by  an  appearance  of  sanctity  unusual  a.t  his  age, 
which  did  not  exceed  twenty-five  ;  and  by  his  strict  confor- 
mity to  the  outward  forms  of  the  sect,  which  education  and 
habit  taught  them  to  prize  so  highly.  He  was  preceded  by 
four  sergeants,  bearing  halberds ;  and  his  solemn  deportment, 
sheared  head,  and  plain  attire,  with  their  grave  aspect  and  or- 
dinary apparel,  might  have  suggested  the  idea  of  an  inquisi- 
torial judge  and  his  attendant  ministers  of  justice,  preparing 
to  conduct  the  ceremonies  of  an  auto-de-fe.  This  assumption 
of  dignity,  however,  appeared  to  Atherton  almost  ludicrous, 
considering  the  infancy  of  the  colony,  and  the  simplicity,  not 
to  say  rudeness,  of  every  thing  appending  to  it,  as  well  as  in- 
consistent with  the  contempt  professed  by  all  classes  for  out- 
ward show  and  parade,  and  which  they  carried  to  an  excess 
in  the  ordinary  concerns  of  life. 

Mr.  Wilson,  the  first  minister  of  Boston,  was  absent  on  that 
day,  and  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Mr.  Cotton,  his  assistant; 
a  man  whose  '  praise  was  in  all  the  churches,'  and  whose 
name  will  always  hold  a  distinguished  place  among  the  New 
England  divines.  Few  perhaps,, ever  possessed  so  great  an 
influence,  both  in  ecclesiastical  and  civil  affairs  ;  his  discour- 
ses often  turned  the  tide  of  popular  opinion,  and  soothed  the 
irritation  which  at  that  time  disturbed  the  tranquillity  of  church 
and  state.  His  eminent  piety,  learning,  and  talents,  insured 
him  the  highest  deference  of  all  classes ;  and  it  was  no  ordi- 


248  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.- 

nary  mark  of  respect  which  induced  the  founders  of  Boston 
to  name  the  capital  of  their  young  colony  after  a  town  in  Lin- 
colnshire, then  the  field  of  his  ministry,  in  the  expectation 
that  he  would  shortly  come  over  and  labor  amongst  them. 

Major  Atherton  listened  to  him  with  delight;  he  was  mas- 
ter of  that  persuasive  eloquence  which  charms  both  the 
learned  and  unlettered ;  and  his  sermons,  though  calculated  to 
instruct  and  edify  even  the  meanest  capacity,  by  their  strength 
and  originality  gave  pleasure  to  the  most  fastidious  taste ;  and 
in  spite  of  the  many  localities  and  personal  allusions  which 
it  was  the  fashion  of  the  day  to  introduce  into  public  dis- 
courses, they  were  so  skillfully  intermingled  with  the  leading 
arguments  and  fundamental  doctrines  of  Christianity,  that 
even  a  stranger  could  not  complain  that  they  were  wearisome. 
The  form  of  worship  was  similar  to  that  established  at  Plym- 
outh, which  the  people  of  Boston  professed  to  follow ;  but 
Mr.  Cotton  had  introduced  some  slight  variations  ;  and  to 
him  also  they  were  indebted  for  a  particular  discipline  and 
government  of  the  churches  from  that  time  known  by  the 
name  of  Congregational. 

Atherton,  on  returning  to  his  lodgings  found  that  among 
the  duties  of  the  Sabbath,  fasting  was  not  neglected  ;  though 
his  provident  landlady  had  taken  care  to  prepare  a  joint  of 
meat  on  the  preceding  day  for  his  especial  use,  which  was 
served  up  cold,  and  without  ceremony;  it  being,  as  she  re- 
marked, 'a  sinful  waste  of  holy  time  to  be  buiied  about 
worldly  concerns  on  that  day  of  rest.'  Her  children,  with 
each  a  slice  of  brown  bread  in  their  hands,  kept  peering  at 
him  from  an  inner  apartment,  with  hungry  and  longing  eyes ; 
for  the  scrupulous  dame  allowed  none  but  her  guests  to  eat  of 
the  fat  of  the  land  on  the  -Sabbath,  except  when  she  saw  fit 
herself  to  take  toll,  in  returning  the  fragments  to  her  larder. 
Atherton  however,'  observing  a  little  girl  with  a  finger  in 


PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  249 

her  mouth,  and  her  head  on  one  shoulder,  advancing  cau- 
tiously beyond  what  her  brethren  would  venture,  took  her  on 
his  knee,  and  offered  her  a  share  of  his  envied  portion.  But 
afraid  to  disobey  her  mother,  the  child  slid  from  his  arms  in 
silence,  though  not  without  'securing  a  piece  of  the  meat  in 
her  chubby  hand,  which  she  adroitly  concealed  under  her 
apron,  aad  ran  off  to  devour  in  safety,  behind  a  wooden  paling 
without  the  door. 

Major  Atherton  attended  divine  service  again  in  the  after- 
noon ;  and  though  still  powerfully  interested  by  the  eloquence 
of  the  preacher,  he  could  not  entirely  restrain  his  thoughts 
from  wandering  back  to  scenes  which  his  present  situation 
was  particularly  calculated  to  revive.  It  was  about  three 
months  since  he  had  first  passed  the  threshold  of  a  New- 
England  meeting-house,  then,  as  now,  a  stranger,  seeking  re- 
pose of  mind  from  change  and  variety  ;  and  unknown  to  al- 
most every  individual  it  contained.  The  image  of  Miriam 
Grey  naturally  blended  with  these  ideas  ;  and  even  in  mem- 
ory, the  tones  of  her  voice  as  he  had  then  heard  them,  as  they 
had  since  often  been  repeated,  vibrated  on  every  chord  of  his 
heart.  But  determined  to  repel  these  dangerous  reminiscences, 
in  which  pleasure  and  pain  were  strangely  intermingled,  and 
which  he  felt  it  weakness  to  indulge,  yet  almost  hopeless  to 
subdue,  he  at  length  succeeded  in  fixing  his  mind  on  subjects 
connected  with  the  time  and  place,  and  joined  both  heart  and 
voice  with  the  congregation,  in  their  concluding  psalm. 

As  soon  as  the  assembly  was  dismissed,  he  disengaged 
himself  from  the  crowd,  and  striking  into  a  narrow  bye-path, 
followed  its  course  till  it  brought  him  to  the  base  of  a  wooded 
cliflf  which  overhung  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river  Charles. 
Beneath  this  cliff  some  of  the  early  settlers  of  Plymouth  had 
moored  their  shallops,  when  sent  thither  on  a  trading  voyage, 
and  landed  near  that  spot,  amidst  a  country  inhabited  by  sav- 


250  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

ages,  and  then  governed  by  the  Squaw  Sachem  of  Massachu- 
setts. But  the  seat  of  Indian  empire  since  that  time  had 
undergone  a  rapid  transition ;  and  as  Atherton  looked  round 
from  the  summit  of  the  hill,  scarcely  a  vestige  of  the  native 
inhabitants  remained  throughout  the  Peninsula.  Step  by 
step,  they  were  still  retreating  before  the  advance  of  civiliza- 
tion, and  resigning  their  territories  to  the  white  people,  who 
regarded  them  with  distrust  and  jealousy ;  and  sometimes  it 
is  to  be  feared,  added  oppression  and  injustice  to  dislike. 

On  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  stood  Mishawum,  called 
by  the  English,  Charlestown  ;  and  recently  occupied  by  a 
powerful  tribe  of  Aborigines,  who  had  also  shrunk  back,  as 
the  wilderness  was  leveled  before  them,  and  the  houses  of  the 
European  planters  arose  on  the  ashes  of  their  humble  wig- 
wams. This  neck  of  land  stretching  between  the  rivers 
Mystic  and  Charles,  was  as  yet  but  thinly  peopled,  although 
one  of  the  oldest  settlements  in  the  Massachusetts  Colony. 
But  the  ideas  of  policy  or  convenience,  which  induced  the 
first  .settlers  to  separate  at  an  early  period,  and  form  them- 
selves into  different  societies,  and  establish  numerous  towns  ; 
though  it  perhaps  more  effectually  spread  the  arts  of  cultiva- 
tion, prevented  the  rapid  growth  of  any  particular  place ;  and 
Boston  itself,  even  then  considered  the  metropolis,  did 
not  contain  more  than  twenty  dwelling-houses. 

Still  as  Atherton  looked  round  and  remarked  with  wonder 
the  progress  which  had  been  made  within  a  few  brief  years, 
he  could  not  fail  to  regard  it  as  a  presage  of  future  prosperity 
to  the  land,  which  nature  had  so  highly  blessed,  and  even  in 
infancy  stamped  with  the  features  of  a  great  and  powerful 
nation.  In  musings  of  the  past  and  future,  he  forgot  the 
lapse  of  time,  till  warned  by  the  declining  sun,  which  glanced 
brightly  on  the  winding  stream,  then  nearly  encrusted  with 
ice,  except  where  the  force  of  the  current  had  broken  a  pas- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGKIMS.  251 

sage  towards  its  entrance  into  the  ocean.  Atherton  descended 
the  hill,  and  pursued  his  way  along  the  bank,  ignorant  where 
his  steps  were  leading  him,  and  often  stopping  as  his  eyes 
were  attracted  by  the  fantastic  figures  formed  by  fragments 
of  ice  thrown  up  by  the  tide,  and  glittering  with  a  thousand 
different  hues,  from  the  refracted  rays  of  the  sun.  The  river 
widening  as  it  approached  the  sea,  and  gradually  throwing 
off  its  frozen  fetters,  was  dyed  with  a  saffron  tinge,  and  im- 
aged on  its  glassy  waves,  a  stately  range  of  trees  which  then 
fringed  the  western  shore,  on  the  site  now  improved  as  an 
important  naval  depot,  from  whence  many  of  our  gallant 
ships  have  ridden  proudly  forth  to  gather  renown  on  the  high- 
way of  nations,  and  returned  laden  with  honor  and  victory. 

Major  Atherton  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  he  perceived 
the  constable  who  had  annoyed  him  so  much  the  preceding 
day,  approaching  him,  with  the  same  measured  step,  and  ex- 
amining him  with  that  unmoved  countenance,  and  fixed  stare, 
which  had  then  so  severely  put  his  patience  to  the  test.  He 
turned  into  another  direction,  and  quickened  his  steps,  to 
avoid  a  conference ;  but  his  pursuer  proved  more  nimble- 
footed  than  his  heavy  appearance  gave  reason  to  expect ;  and 
accelerating  his  speed  in  proportion  to  Major  Atherton's,  he 
shortly  came  directly  in  contact  with  him.  Atherton  took  no 
notice  of  him,  and  this  silent  disregard  seemed  for  once,  to 
put  the  impenetrable  constable  to  his  wits'  ends.  He  hemmed 
thrice,  in  the  hope  that  it  would  inspire  him  with  something 
with  which  to  commence  the  conversation ;  but  he  was  still 
unnoticed,  even  by  a  look  of  recognition.  As  a  dernier  re- 
source, he  stepped  boldly  up  to  Atherton,  and  taking  hold  of 
his  cloak  addressed  him,  though  with  rather  less  than  his 
ordinary  assurance. 

'  Master  Major  Atherton,  which  I  am   informed  is  your 


252  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

name  and  calling,  I  must  make  free  to  tell  you  that  I,  Jere- 
miah Handcuff,  am  a  constable  in  this  town  of  Boston.' 

'  Of  that  I  am  already  informed,'  said  Atherton,  withdraw- 
ing from  his  grasp  with  an  air  of  dignity,  which  compelled 
the  other  to  retreat  some  paces. 

•Very  like,'  he  replied,  after  a  moment's  deliberation,  '  see- 
ing that  I  am  well  known  in  mine  office  ;  and  though  it  doth 
not  become  me  to  say  it,  of  approved  fidelity  in  the  perform- 
ance of  my  duty.' 

'  In  that  your  works  praise  you,  Master  constable  ;  but  bear 
in  mind,  I  pray  you,  that  there  is  a  zeal  which  is  not  accord- 
ing to  knowledge.' 

'  Which  1  have  also  well  considered,'  returned  the  consta- 
ble, 'having  been  early  instructed  by  my  mother  in  the 
sacred  Scriptures,  and  with  her  help,  enabled  to  repeat  the 
holy  gospels  and  divers  other  inspired  passages  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testament,  even  before  I  had  attained  unto  my 
twentieth  year.' 

'  And  did  that  knowledge  recommend  you  to  your  present 
situation  ?'  asked  Atherlon. 

'  Doubtless  it  was  of  weight  in  the  minds  of  our  pious 
rulers,'  he  replied,'  '  who  promote  unto  honor,  such  only  as 
obey  the  commandments  of  God  and  the  king ;  and  renounc- 
ing the  errors  of  prelacy,  walk  honestly  after  the  rules 
of  the  gospel,  and  the  instructions  of  our  godly  ministers.' 

Atherton  made  no  reply,  but  walked  on  still  more  rapidly, 
not  a  little  vexed  to  observe  the  constable  following  at  a  brisk 
pace,  until  they  came  to  a  place  where  the  road  divided,  when 
Atherton  suddenly  stopped,  and  turning  to  him,  said, — 

'  Will  you  inform  me,  Master  Handcuff,  which  road  you 
intend  to  take  ?' 

'  Whichsoever  may  best  suit  your  inclination,'  he  replied, 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  253 

'  seeing  that  it  behooves  me  to  follow  you  whithersoever  your 
steps  may  incline.' 

'  To  what  purpose,  and  by  what  authority,'  asked  Atherton, 
indignantly, '  do  you  thus  presume  to  watch  and  obtrude  upon 
me  ?' 

'Master  Major,'  returned  the  other,  in  a  soothing  tone,  'it 
would  ill  become  me  to  give  offence  unto  a  gentleman  of 
honorable  quality  like  yourself;  but  since  our  magistrates 
have  established  laws,  and  set  up  such  persons  as  in  their 
wisdom  they  deem  meet  to  execute  them,  is  it  right  for  me 
to  fall  back  like  an  unfaithful  watchman  ?  judge  ye  betwixt 
thee  and  me.' 

'  Of  what,'  asked  Atherton,  'do  you  accuse  me  ?  what  law 
have  I  been  guilty  of  violating  ?' 

'It  is  written,  "Thou  shalt  remember  the  Sabbath  day 
and  keep  it  holy," '  returned  the  constable  ;  '  and  our  rulers, 
for  the  furtherance  of  this  Divine  command,  have  been  pleased 
to  ordain  fines  and  punishments  on  such  as  are  found  guilty 
of  a  breach  in  its  observance.' 

'  I  am  unconscious  of  having  broken  any  law,  human  or 
divine,'  said  Atherton  ;  '  and  if  I  have,  you  must  have  regu- 
lations for  the  observance  of  this  day,  unknown  to  other 
Christian  countries.' 

'  Truly,  our  favored  nation  hath  .cast  off  the  unprofitable 
works  of  darkness,  which  still  cling  unto  the  worshipers  of 
images,  and  the  lovers  of  vain  ceremonies  ;  and  therefore 
refraineth  from  all  those  sinful  amusements  which  have 
proved  a  stumbling  block  unto  many  weak  brethren.' 

'  Surely,'  said  Atherton,  'the  innocent  recreation  of  walk- 
ing in  a  grave  and  orderly  manner,  is  not  included  in  your 
list  of  offences  !' 

'  It  is  a  trespass  on  holy  time,'  returned  the  other,  '  to  be 
gadding  abroad  and  seeking  divertisement  by  means  which 
22 


254  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

are  not  appointed,  on  the  Lord's  day ;  and  the  offender  is 
to  be  dealt  with  accordingly.' 

'  I  would  recommend  to  your  rulers,'  said  Atherton,  '  to 
make  their  laws  more  public;  for  they  are  too  extraordinary 
to  be  remembered  and  understood  without  much  painful 
study.' 

'  They  are  written  upon  the  hearts  of  this  people,'  said  the 
constable,  '..and  all  others  who  reverence  this  day  aright,  will 
be  withholden  from  profaning  it.' 

'Our  ideas  on  that  subject,'  said  Atherton,  '  may  differ  es- 
sentially, and  what  you  term  profanation,  may  to  me  seem 
perfectly  harmless  ;  but  be  that  as  it  will,  my  sojourn  here 
has  been  so  brief,  that  I  do  not  feel  accountable  for  a 
slight  breach  of  local  regulations,  of  which  I  was  entirely 
ignorant.' 

'  Nevertheless,  that  doth  not  discharge  me  from  my  duty,' 
replied  the  pertinacious  officer  ;  '  nor  can  I  suffer  "sin  upon 
my  brother,"  without  incurring  reproach  from  those  who,per- 
adventure,  would  gladly  take  occasion  to  deprive  me  of  mine 
office,  which  I  make  bold  to  say,  I  have  maintained  with  cred- 
it to  myself  and  the  town  which  I  have  served.' 

'  Doubtless,  Master  Handcuff,  you  have  done  to  the  utmost 
of  your  abilities;  but  I  would  learn  from  you,  what  penalty  is 
exacted  from  those  who  are  found  walking  unnecessarily  on 
the  Sunday  ? ' 

'  Say  not  Sunday,'  replied  the  other,  with  a  look  of  solem- 
nity ;  '  that  being  as  our  minister  has  instructed  us,  a  super- 
stitious and  idolatrous  word  no  longer  used  by  true  christ' 
ians  ;  but  the  Sabbath,  as  it  was  called  by  God's  ancient 
people  the  Jews,  and  also  by  the  apostles ;  or  the  Lord's  day, 
so  it  is  termed  by  many  of  his  precious  servants  in  these  later 
times.' 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  255 

'Be  it  so  then,'  said  Atherton,  impatiently;  'and  now  have 
the  goodness  to  answer  my  question.' 

'  Touching  the  penalty  for  profaning  the  Sabbath  day,  if  I 
remember  rightly,'  returned  the  other,  '  it  is  for  the  first  of- 
fence a  fine  not  exceeding  ten  shillings  ;  but  if  the  offender 
persist  in  his  transgression,  he  is  given  over  to  the  stocks  or 
the  whipping  post,  or  house  of  correction,  according  to  the  dis- 
cretion of  the  magistrates,  whose  eyes  are  continually  upon 
evil  doers.' 

'  I  thank  you  for  your  information,'  said  Atherton  ; — 
'  which  may  prove  of  use  to  me  hereafter  ;  and  so  wishing 
you  but  few  offices  of  the  kind  to  perform,  I  will  bid  you  good 
night.' 

Atherton  passed  on,  and  the  constable  stood  irresolute, 
apparently  loth  to  proceed  to  extremities ;  yet  unwilling  to 
appear  slack  in  discharging  his  duties  ;  but  after  a  mo- 
ment's hesitation  he  stepped  briskly  after  Atherton,  and  el- 
evating his  black  staff  with  an  awkward  attempt  at  dignity,  he 
said, — 

'  In  the  king's  name,  Major  Atherton,  I  make  bold  to  com- 
mand you  to  stop.' 

Atherton  did  stop  involuntarily ;  surprised  and  offended  at 
the  unexpected  summons. 

'  Wherefore  is  this  continued  rudeness  ? '  he  asked.  '  I 
would  advise  you,  Master,  to  retire  in  peace,  and  suffer  me  to 
pursue  my  way  unmolested.' 

'There  is  no  law  which  will  uphold  a  man  in  resisting  law- 
ful authority,'  replied  the  constable,  resuming  his  customary 
and  grave  pertinacity  of  countenance  and  demeanor;  'and 
seeing  that  I  have  detected  you  in  violating  the  laws  of  our 
land,  I  would  commend  unto  you,  Master  Atherton,  to  pay 
the  ordinary  fine  like  an  honorable  gentleman  ;  and  though 
it  doth  not  become  me  to  intermeddle  with  "  filthy  lucre"  on 


256  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

this  holy  day ;  yet  I  may  not  suffer  you  to  depart  until  I  have 
your  word  for  a  surety,  that  it  shall  be  forthcoming  at  my  fu- 
ture demand.' 

'  I  care  not  for  the  money,'  said  Atherton.  '  I  would  wil- 
lingly give  thrice  the  sum  for  any  worthy  purpose  ;  but  it 
shall  not  be  extorted  from  me  against  my  will,  and  for  a  sin  of 
ignorance.' 

'  Just  as  you  please,'  replied  the  constable,  sullenly.  '  I 
know  well  where  to  look  for  help,  if  so  be  I  can't  get  it  with- 
out; but  I  hope  your  honor  will  not  take  offence  at  my  walk- 
ing behind  you.' 

'  Not  so  long  as  you  remain  peaceable,'  said  Ather- 
ton ;  '  and  for  my  further  instruction,  I  would  ask  you  at 
what  time  your  Massachusetts'  Sabbath  is  said  to  begin  and 
end?' 

'  Truly,'  replied  the  other,  '  we  are  wont  to  lay  aside  our 
worldly  business  at  the  setting  of  the  sun  on  the  last  day  of  the 
week,  and  we  keep  the  time  holy  until  the  same  hour  on  the 
first  day.' 

-'  When  you  may  again  engage  in   worldly   concerns,  if  I 
understand  you  light,'  said  Atherton. 

1  In  a  moderate  degree  it  is  deemed  allowable,'  he  re- 
plied. 

'  I  think  then,  Master  Constable,  you  have  less  hold  of  me 
than  you  imagine  ;  for  if  I  am  not  mistaken,  the  sun  was 
quite  down  before  I  had  the  good  fortune  to  meet  with  you.' 

'  Perchance  it  was  so,'  returned  the  constable,  somewhat 
disconcerted ;  '  nevertheless,  you  have  been  wandering  over 
these  fields  and  woods  even  from  the  time  of  the  breaking  up 
of  our  devout  assembly.' 

'  And  where  were  you,  Master  Handcuff,  that  you  could 
watch  me  for  so  long  a  time  ?  have  a  care  that  you  do  not  turn 
culprit  as  well  as  informer.' 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  257 

'  Mine  eyes  did  not  behold  you,'  replied  the  other,  'albeit,  I 
am  credibly  informed  of  that  which  I  affirm.' 

'  I  am  little  skilled  in  the  law,  especially  on  these  subjects,' 
said  Atherton  ;  '  but  I  think  you  may  as  well  withhold  your 
suit,  friend,  since  you  are  likely  to  gather  nothing  but  trouble 
from  it.' 

'  We  shall  see,'  muttered  the  constable,  slackening  his  pace 
a  little  ;  and  Atherton,  resolved  to  break  off  the  conference, 
redoubled  his  speed  and  soon  reached  his  lodgings. 

He  had,  however,  scarcely  closed  the  door  of  his  own  apart- 
ment, when  the  constable  who  had  leisurely  followed  him,  en- 
tered the  common  room,  and  threw  himself  doggedly  on  a 
bench.  Mistress  Cole,  who  was  busily  preparing  the  supper- 
table,  and  in  whose  memory  his  late  indignity  still  rankled, 
said  to  him  in  no  very  courtly  tone, — 

'  What  brings  you  here  again,  Master  Handcuff? — is 
it  to  stir  up  mischief  betwixt  my  good  man  and  his  lodg- 
er ?  ' 

'  Mistress  Cole,'  returned  the  constable,  '  my  peaceful  dis- 
position is  well  known ;  and  therefore  I  forgive  your  unchari- 
table surmise;  I  have  also  other  matters  upon  my  mind,  the 
which  it  will  be  better  to  discuss  with  thy  husband,  seeing 
that  women  have  little  knowledge  of  public  affairs  ;  neither 
are  they  gifted  with  understanding  to  comprehend  them.' 

'  Dear,  now  !  Master,'  said  the  dame,  in  a  soothing  voice, 
'  I  can  advise  you  better  than  my  husband,  who  always  com- 
eth  to  me  for  counsel  in  matters  of  importance  ;  and  I  think, 
Master  Handcuff,  it  doth  not  become  you  to  speak  so  light- 
ly of  women  who  are  created  to  be  faithful  helps  unto  man- 
kind.' 

'  Truly,'  said  the  constable,' '  God  hath  made  all  creatures 
suitable  for  their  place  and  station  ;  and  it  is  well  that  he  hath 
not  endowed  women  with  wisdom  equal   unto  us ;  otherwise 
22* 


258  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

their  subtle  and  meddlesome  nature  would  breed  continual 
mischief.  But  the  matter  of  which  I  would  speak,  concerneth 
your  lodger ;  of  whom  I  would  bid  you  take  good  heed  ;  for 
I  greatly  fear  he  is  a  prelatist,  and  given  to  contemn  our 
wholesome  laws.' 

'  Wheugh  man  ! '  said  the  landlady,  '  you  are  altogeth- 
er mistaken  ;  did  he  not  go  to  our  meeting  and  hearken 
to  the  preachment  of  the  word  ?  and  did  not  mine  own 
ears  hear  him  sing  the  psalms,  with  the  congregation  of  God's 
people  ? ' 

'  It  may  be  so,  dame,'  returned  the  other;  'but  who  knows 
if  he  went  not  as  a  spy  upon  our  actions,  to  report  unto  the 
bishops  and  romanists  of  his  own  country?' 

'  Fie,  on  your  base  suspicions,  Master  constable,'  return- 
ed the  dame,  sharply.  '  I  will  be  bound  his  handsome  face 
was  not  given  him  to  cover  a  black  heart  ;  so  I  prythee,  do 
not  go  for  to  infest  my  good  man  with  any  such  foolish  no- 
tions.' 

'Woman,  thou  art  taken  with  his  fair  outside,'  replied  the 
constable  ;  '  has  he  not  been  wickedly  walking  on  this  holy 
day  ?  and  has  he  not  thereby  contemned  the  laws  of  this 
land  ? ' 

'  And  how  should  he,  a  stranger  that  he  is,  poor  young 
man,  know  any  thing  about  our  laws  ?  '  returned  the  dame. 
'I  thought  you  were  a  sensible  man,  Master  Handcuff;  but 
you  are  clean  gone  with  the  rest,  in  these  idle  whims.' 

Major  Atherton  entered  the  room  before  the  constable  had 
framed  a  suitable  reply  ;  and  Mistress  Cole's  supper  being 
ready,  he  was  obliged  to  take  leave  without  an  opportunity  of 
resuming  the  conversation. 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  259 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

Their  dauntless  heart  no  meteor  led 

In  terror  o'er  the  ocean ; 
From  fortune  and  from  fame  they  fled, 

To  heaven  and  its  devotion. 

PA  IKE. 

IN  the  course  of  the  following  day,  Major  Atherton  repaired 
to  the  house  of  Mr.  Winthrop,  the  first  Governor  of  Massa- 
chusetts, to  whom  he  was  furnished  with  a  letter  of  introduc- 
tion. 

Mr.  Winthrop  was  one  of  the  original  patentees,  who  plan- 
ned a  settlement  in  the  Massachusetts  Bay,  with  a  hope  of  en- 
joying their  religious  opinions  unmolested,  removed  from  the 
oppression  of  the  English  hierarchy,  and  the  galling  restraints 
of  the  civil  government.  He  was  descended  from  respectable 
ancestors,  and  inherited  a  valuable  estate  in  Suffolk,  which 
he  converted  into  money  to  promote  the  great  objects  of  his 
enterprise.  Previous  to  embarking  from  his  native  land,  he 
was  elected  Governor  of  the  future  colony,  by  the  unanimous 
voice  of  his  associates  ;  many  of  whom  were  gentlemen  of 
high  birth,  and  noble  alliance  as  well  as  of  distinguished  pie- 
ty and  abilities.  Ten  years  after  the  settlement  of  Plymouth, 
these  adventurers  landed  on  the  shores  of  the  new  world ;  al- 
ready regarded  by  many  intelligent  and  pious  minds,  as  the 
favored  region  where  religion  would  at  length  find  a  peaceful 
asylum,  from  the  storms  of  party  spirit  and  intolerance,  which 
had  so  long  agitated  the  kingdoms  of  Europe. 

Many  circumstances  render  it  doubtful  whether  the  first 
company  of  settlers  had  actually  seceded  from  the  church  of 


260  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

England  when  they  left  that  country  ;  but  however  that  may 
be,  it  is  certain  they  immediately  after  entirely  renounced  its 
authority  and  forms,  and  erected  the  platform  of  a  new  and 
independent  church,  essentially  different  in  its  government 
and  principles.  But  in  their  solicitude  to  establish  the  inter-' 
ests  of  religion  on  a  solid  basis,  and  to  promote  a  spirit  of 
harmony,  and  create  a  bond  of  union  in  their  worship,  they 
resolved  that  it  should  be  done  in  their  own  way,  and  accord- 
ing to  their  own  ideas  of  right  and  wrong  ;  and  thus,  like  oth- 
er fallible  and  erring  mortals,  who  often  mistake  the  means  in 
their  zeal  to  accomplish  the  end,  they  exhibited  a  spirit  of  per- 
secution, which  has  entailed  a  lasting  reproach  upon  their 
memory.  Scarcely  absolved  from  the  odious  tenets  and  op- 
pressive thraldom  of  the  mother  church,  they  in  turn  erected 
an  inquisitorial  authority  over  the  consciences  of  those,  who 
presumed  to  differ  from  them  in  judgment  and  opinion  ;  leav- 
ing an  example  which  has  been  followed  by  too  many  of  their 
posterity. 

Yet  we  have  reason  to  believe  that  they  erred  with  good  in- 
tentions and  upright  hearts ;  and  every  candid  mind  will  find 
a  ready  excuse  for  their  failings,  in  the  excitement  of  the 
times,  and  the  comparative  darkness  of  the  age  in  which  they 
lived  ; — an  excuse  inapplicable  to  those  who  indulge  similar 
prejudices  and  passions  in  this  more  enlightened  period  of  the 
world  ;  while  the  redeeming  virtues  so  beautifully  exemplified 
in  their  lives,  must  at  least  command  the  reverence  and  admi- 
ration of  all. 

Governor  Winthrop,  justly  styled  the  father  of  the  colony, 
possessed  in  an  eminent  degree,  that  rare  union  of  talents  and 
virtues,  which  fitted  him  for  the  station  he  was  called  to  fill, 
and  insured  him  the  respect  and  affection  of  the  people  he 
governed.  Yet  his  popularity,  the  prudence  and  moderation 
of  his  character,  and  the  disinterested  liberality  which  indue- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  261 

ed  him  to  draw  from  his  private  fortune,  to  relieve  the  wants 
of  individuals  and  advance  the  public  interest,  could  not  shield 
him  from  the  arts  of  the  jealous,  and  the  cabals  of  the  disaf- 
fected. Under  various  pretences,  they  had  twice  succeeded 
in  procuring  a  vote  against  his  election  to  the  office  of  first 
magistrate  ;  an  office  which  he  had  held  for  several  years 
with  equal  ability  and  wisdom. 

At  the  time  of  Major  Atherton's  arrival  in  Boston,  Mr. 
Winthrop  filled  the  station  of  deputy-governor,  having  yielded 
his  claims  a  third  time,  and  under  circumstances  particularly 
painful  to  a  noble  mind, — not  to  the  wishes  of  the  majority, 
for  they  were  in  his  favor, — but  to  the  artifice  of  a  faction 
which  had  risen  up  against  him,  and  effected  their  designs 
through  that  persevering  and  subtle  intrigue,  by  which,  in 
elective  governments,  the  minority  are  sometimes  enabled  to 
counteract  the  efforts  of  a  rival  party.  Strange  as  it  may  ap- 
pear, the  proximate  cause  of  this  revolution  was  supposed  to 
be  a  female,  the  noted  Anna  Hutchinson,  whose  religious  opin- 
ions had  acquired  great  influence  in  the  country;  and  among 
whose  adherents  were  found  the  supporters  of  Mr.  Vane,  the 
successful  candidate.  It  is  however  more  probable  that  this 
ascendency  was  produced  by  Henry  Vane,  himself,  as- 
sisted perhaps  by  the  arts  of  Mrs.  Hutchinson  ;  for  he  had 
distinguished  her  by  his  attentions  and  zealously  embraced 
her  tenets,  which  were  extremely  obnoxious  to  Mr.  Winthrop. 
The  multitude  were  gained  by  the  sanctity  of  his  appearance, 
his  specious  manners  and  address  ;  aided  by  superior  abili- 
ties, great  fluency  of  expression,  and  the  attractions  of  exalt- 
ed rank.  His  father  held  a  high  station  in  the  court  of  Charles  ; 
and  there  was  a  general  belief  in  New  England,  that  the  young- 
er Vane  was  sent  over  by  royal  authority.  These  adventi- 
tious circumstances  he  improved  to  the  utmost ;  and  by  the 


262  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

exercise  of  a  profound  dissimulation, — a  sort  of  Jesuitical  cun- 
ning, he  deceived  the  minds  of  many. 

His  election  to  the  government  of  Massachusetts  has  ever 
been  considered  a  blot  on  the  character  of  the  times  ;  and  it 
undoubtedly  blew  the  sparks  of  contention  into  a  flame,  which 
all  the  prudence  of  his  assistants  and  immediate  successors 
was  scarcely  able  to  extinguish.  The  Christian  forbearance 
and  magnanimity  of  Mr.  Winthrop  were  nobly  displayed 
in  his  readiness  to  accept  an  inferior  office,  under  a  man  so 
much  younger  in  years  and  experience,  and  whom  his  judg- 
ment could  not  approve.  Influenced  solely  by  the  public  good, 
he  laid  aside  all  personal  feelings  and  discharged  his  arduous 
duties  with  a  fidelity  and  perseverance  which  increased  his 
dignity,  and  recovered  the  esteem  of  those  who  had  for  a  time 
withdrawn  from  him.  Upright  and  conscientious  in  every 
relation  of  life,  even  those  who  differed  from  him  in  senti- 
ments, could  scarcely  find  a  blemish  to  censure ;  and  when 
one  was  summoned  by  the  inveterate  Archbishop  Laud,  to 
speak  against  him  before  the  king,  his  accusation  proved  a  pan- 
egyric, and  his  Majesty  expressed  his  concern  that  a  person 
so  worthy  6f  trust  and  honor,  should  be  no  better  accommo- 
dated than  in  an  American  wilderness. 

Something  of  this  kind  passed  the  mind  of  Atherton  as  he 
approached  Mr.  Winthrop's  house,  which  though  commodi- 
ous and  respectable,  seemed  scarcely  fitted  to  the  dignified 
station  and  ample  fortune  which  he  enjoyed.  But  he  after- 
wards learned  to  value  this  extreme  simplicity  as  an  instance 
of  the  self-denial  which  Governor  Winthrop  wa<s  accustomed 
to  practice;  for  he  had  early  discovered  the  necessity  of  econ- 
omy and  temperance,  to  the  prosperity  of  a  feeble  colony,  and 
became  an  example  of  these  virtues  in  his  own  person  and 
family,  though,  at  the  same  time  the  munificence  and  hospi- 
tality of  his  spirit  were  fully  known  and  appreciated. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  263 

Atherton  found  Mr.  Winthrop  seated  at  a  writing  table, 
with  numerous  papers  spread  before  him,  and  still  holding  a 
pen,  though  engaged  in  earnest  conversation  with  a  man  who 
stood  beside  him.  There  was  an  air  of  magisterial  dignity, 
and  even  severity  on  his  features,  which  instantly  gave  place 
to  a  smile  of  urbanity,  as  he  rose  to  receive  Major  Atherton, 
who  immediately  delivered  the  introductory  letter  of  Captain 
Standish.  Mr.  Winthrop  hastily  glanced  over  the  contents, 
and  threw  it  by  saying, — 

'  Your  arrival  has  just  been  made  known  to  me,  Major  Ath- 
erton, and  by  one,  who  I  fear  has  caused  you  some  vexation 
since  your  entrance  into  this  land  of  strangers.' 

Atherton,  who  had  been  diligently  studying  the  countenance 
of  Mr.  Winthrop,  now  followed  the  direction  of  his  eyes, 
which  were  turned  towards  the  man  whom  he  had  before 
scarcely  noticed  ;  and  in  whose  gaunt  figure,  grim  visage, 
and  protuberant  eyes,  he  identified  his  late  acquaintance,  the 
persevering  Constable.  He  looked  even  more  gloomy  than 
usual,  and  without  moving  a  muscle  of  his  face,  continued 
standing  as  if  resolved  to  await  the  conclusion  of  the  conver- 
sation. 

'  My  ignorance  of  your  laws,  sir,'  said  Atherton,  '  may 
have  led  me  into  a  seeming  contempt  for  them  ;  and  if  so,  I 
am  ready  to  make  any  concession  which  you  may  deem  nec- 
essary.' 

'  We  are  lenient  towards  those  who  err  through  ignorance,' 
replied  Mr.  Winthrop,  '  and  in  this  instance  must  ask  you  to 
pardon  the  indignity  which  has  been  offered  you,  through 
Master  Handcuff,  who  is  somewhat  apt  to  carry  his  zeal  to 
an  extreme.' 

'Truly,'  said  the  undaunted  Constable,  'it  becometh  me  to 
be  "  zealously  affected  in  a  good  cause  ;  "  for  what  saith  the 


264  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

scripture  "  because  thou  art  lukewarm,  and  neither  cold  nor 
hot,  therefore  will — " ' 

'  Master  Constable,'  interrupted  the  magistrate,  '  we  now 
give  you  leave  to  retire;  and  in  future  bear  in  mind,  that  we 
expect  no  one  under  our  authority,  to  transgress  the  laws  him~ 
self,  in  a  vain  pursuit  after  others  whom  he  may  chance  to 
deem  worthy  of  reprehension.' 

The  Constable  looked  rather  crest-fallen  at  this  reproof; 
•but  without  offering  a  word  in  reply  or  defence,  depressed  his 
black  staff  of  office,  and  bowing  profoundly,  left  the  room. 

'  I  am  afraid,'  said  Mr.  Winthrop,  as  the  door  closed  after 
him,  'you  will  begin  to  think,  Major  Alherton,  that  our  ene- 
mies in  England  have  some  grounds  for  the  railing  accusa- 
tions they  have  brought  against  us  ;  since  you  have  been  so 
much  troubled  from  our  regard  to  matters  commonly  consid- 
ered of  little  moment.' 

'  If  I  had  ever  placed  any  reliance  on  their  slanders,'  re- 
turned Atherton,  'my  residence  at  Plymouth  would  have  long 
since  undeceived  me ;  I  have  become  a  sincere  admirer  of 
New  England  discipline,  and  truly  wish  that  something 
equally  effective  might  be  adopted  to  check  the  growing  li- 
centiousness of  my  native  land.' 

'  The  change  must  be  radical,'  said  Mr.  Winthrop,  '  where 
the  disease  is  of  so  long  standing  ;  but  the  evils  which  you 
allude  to  have  suggested  a  useful  lesson  to  the  rulers  of 
this  Colony  ;  and  though  we  do  not  wish  to  be  over-scrupu- 
lous, yet  the  world  is  so  much  more  inclined  to  excess  on  the 
side  of  error  than  of  truth  ;  that  we  conceive  it  incumbent  on 
those  who  are  appointed  to  prepare  laws  for  the  government 
of  a  new  State,  to  render  them  conformable  to  the  spirit  and 
letter  of  the  word  of  God.  Yet  even  those  af  e  liable  to  abuse, 
from  the  imprudence  and  want  of  judgment  of  some  who  are 
appointed  to  execute  them.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  265 

'  Were  all  men,'  said  Atherton,  'as  indefatigable  and  un- 
discerning  in  their  office,  as  the  one  who  has  just  quitted  us, 
we  should  be  less  surprised  at  the  misrepresentations  of  the 
malicious  and  discontented.' 

'  Those  who  choose  to  speak  evil  of  us,'  replied  Mr.  Win- 
throp,  '  do  not  lack  either  subjects  or  opportunities ;  and  since 
the  first  planting  of  the  Colony,  such  as  came  hither  from  mo- 
tives of  ambition  and  interest,  and  were  disappointed  in  their 
schemes,  or  reproved  for  their  evil  deeds,  have  not  failed  on. 
their  return  to  England,  to  use  their  endeavors  to  render  our 
government  and  character  obnoxious.' 

'  There,  sir,  I  believe  they  have  in  general  met  with  de- 
served contempt,'  said  Atherton,  '  except  with  those  whose 
prejudices,  or  self-interest  were  gratified  by  listening  to  such 
calumnies.' 

'And  those  are  not  a  few;  '  returned  Mr.  \Vinthrop  ;  'we 
have  had  to  contend  against  public  opinion  and  private  inter- 
est ;  against  religious  dogmas,  and  worldly  prepossessions  ; 
but  I  trust,  the  integrity  of  our  conduct  will  at  length  put  to 
silence  the  reproaches  of  our  adversaries.  Our  most  inveter- 
ate enemies  are  those,  who  have  been  themselves  engaged  in 
forming  plantations,  which  from  the  dissoluteness  of  the  com- 
panies soon  fell  to  ruin ;  and  among  these  one  Morton,  "  a  . 
pettifogger  of  Furnival's  Inn,"  who  began  a  settlement,  with 
some  others,  at  a  place  which  they  called  Mount  Wollaston, 
has  never  ceased  to  persecute  us.' 

'  Do  you  refer,'  asked  Atherton,  '  to  the  people  whose  un- 
principled conduct  drew  upon  them  the  vengeance  of  the  na- 
tives, who  demanded  the  death  of  one  who  had  been  detected 
in  stealing  from  them  ;  but,  being  a  vigorous  and  useful  man, 
they  were  unwilling  to  lose  him,  and  for  a  show  of  justice,  or 
•to  satisfy  their  revenge,   cheated   even  the   wary  savages,  by 
hanging  in  his  stead,  a  bed-rid  and  decrepid  person  ?' 
23 


266  PEEP  AT  THE    PILGRIMS. 

'  You  allude  to  a  still  earlier  period  of  our  history,'  said 
Mr.  Winthrop,  '  the  people  who  resorted  to  that  ingenious  ex- 
pedient, which,  with  other  misdemeanors,  involved  them  in 
deserved  calamities,  were  associated  with  a  Mr.  Weston,  and 
seated  themselves  at  Wesagusset,  now  called  Weymouth.' 

'I  have  heard  the  anecdote  related  at  Plymouth,'  replied 
Atherton ;  '  and  it  is  probably  blended  in  my  mind  with  some 
other  transaction  of  the  kind.' 

'  Morton's  company  was  not  a  whit  better,'  said  Mr.  Win- 
throp. «  Captain  Wollaston,  their  leader,  retired  to  Virginia, 
and  the  others  led  on  by  Morton,  set  up  for  liberty  and  equal- 
ity, named  the  place  Merry  Mount,  and  committed  every  kind 
of  excess.  Mr.  Endicot,  then  recently  arrived  at  Salem,  vis- 
ited them  to  reprove  their  folly,  and  cut  down  a  May-pole 
which  they  had  erected  ;  but  they  soon  returned  to  their  for- 
mer courses,  and  the  various  settlements  uniting  with  Plym- 
outh, at  that  time  the  most  powerful,  your  gallant  kinsman, 
Captain  Standish,  with  a  few  brave  men  were  sent  to  them, 
and  on  their  refusing  to  surrender,  the  Captain  with  his  usual 
decision,  took  them  prisoners  and  had  them  all  conveyed  back 
to  England.' 

'  A  mortification,  sufficiently  severe  to  silence  them,  I  should 
think,'  said  Atherton,  '  and  insure  their  good  behavior  in  fu- 
ture.' 

'  They  were  dealt  with  very  lightly  by  the  council  in  Eng- 
land,' replied  Mr.  Winthrop, '  and  Morton  has  since  returned 
to  this  country  and  now  dwells  at  Pascataqua,  where  he  still 
exercises  the  mean  revenge  of  disturbing  our  peace  as  much 
as  lies  in  his  power.' 

'  Those  two  plantations  are  anomalies  in  the  history  of  New 
England,'  said  Atherton,  '  the  only  ones  which  have  yet  cast  a 
blemish  on  its  annals  ;  and  it  is  easy  to  imagine  the  grief  and 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  267 

anxiety,  which  their  settlement  and  progress  must  have  caused 
their  more  serious  neighbors.' 

'  It  is  well  for  the  country  that  they  were  so  speedily  ended,' 
said  Mr.  Winthrop ;  '  for  the  contagion  of  their  example  was 
greatly  to  be  dreaded.  But  it  is  a  satisfaction  to  reflect  that 
no  other  colonies  have  been  founded  here,  which  had  merely 
worldly  gain  ajid  pleasure  for  their  object.  In  every  other, 
we  have  reason  to  believe  that  religion,  if  not  the  moving 
cause,  was  at  least  deeply  considered  ;  and  indeed,  no  other 
principle  seems  sufficiently  powerful  to  enable  men,  and  even 
delicate  and  timid  women,  to  struggle  with  hardships  and  en- 
dure and  persevere  with  such  heroic  fortitude.' 

'  It  is  in  circumstances  of  difficulty  and  distress,'  replied 
Atherton,  '  that  the  female  character  displays  itself  with  pe- 
culiar loveliness;  and  man,  with  all  his  boasted  firmness  and 
snperiority,  will  often  sink  beneath  the  weight  of  trials,  which 
the  unrepining  constancy  and  unyielding  patience  of  woman 
enables  her  to  overcome.' 

'  I  have  seen  instances  of  this,'  returned  Mr.- Winthrop, 
'  which  might  silence  the  sarcasms  of  the  cynic,  and  the  jests 
of  the  profligate,  who  have  ever  shown  their  spleen  and  emp- 
tiness, by  ridiculing  those  whose  excellence  they  are  too  self- 
ish to  imitate  and  too  proud  to  acknowledge  ;  and  scarcely  do 
I  think,  that  our  labors  in  this  wilderness  would  have  been  so 
greatly  prospered,  but  for  the  encouraging  smiles  of  women, 
whose  cheerful  spirits  were  buoyant,  even  in  the  midst  of  dan- 
ger and  distress,  and  whose  undaunted  minds,  imparted 
strength  and  resolution  to  the  weary  and  faint  in  heart.' 

'  I  doubt  it  not,  sir,'  returned  Atherton  ^  '  and  those  refined 
and  exalted  virtues,  which  might  have  slumbered  in  the  wave- 
less  calm  of  prosperity,  have  here  unfolded  into  beauty  and 
perfection.  All  that  I  have  seen,  every  affecting  incident 
which  1  have  heard,  since  I  reached  these  shores,  has  in- 


268  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

creased  my  reverence  and  admiration  for  that  gentle  sex,  to 
whom  we  are  indebted  for  so  many  bright  examples,  who  are 
often  our  guides,  as  well  as  pleasant  companions,  while  travel- 
ing together  through  this  pilgrimage  of  life.' 

Mr.  Winthrop  smiled  at  the  enthusiasm  of  his  countenance 
and  manner. 

'  I  am  too  sensible,'  he  replied,  '  of  the  justi«e  of  your  en- 
comium to  attribute  it  to  the  gallantry  of  a  young  man  and  a 
soldier  ;  and  I  believe  the  most  sceptical  would  become  con- 
verts to  our  opinion,  were  they  but  to  judge  impartially  or 
could  they  witness,  as  I  have  done,  the  equanimity  and  reso- 
lution so  often  exhibited  in  the  female  character.  Even  while 
quitting  forever,  the  country  endeared  to  them  by  every  tie  of 
affection, — to  many  the  abode  of  distinguished  wealth  and  en- 
joyment,—and  about  to  encounter  the  dangers  of  the  ocean, 
and  seek  a  place  of  residence  in  an  uncivilized,  almost  un- 
known world, — their  constancy  remained  unshaken,  they  had 
"  counted  the  cost,"  and  were  resolved  to  meet  every  event 
without  repining.' 

'  It  generally  requires  a  stronger  effort,'  said  Atherton,  '  to 
abide  by  a  resolution,  than  merely  to  form  even  the  most  diffi- 
cult ;  and  this  then  inhospitable  coast  must  have  presented 
terrors  to  the  most  disciplined  imagination,  and  have  caused 
the  boldest  spirit  to  waver.' 

'  There  were  doubtless  some,'  returned  Mr.  Winthrop, 
'  who  remembered  with  regret  the  "  leeks  and  onions  of 
Egypt ;"  for  even  the  meanest  were  reduced  to  straits  un- 
known to  them  before  ;  and  the  highest  orders  were  compelled 
to  strive  with  difficuities  for  which  the  delicacy  of  their  edu- 
cation had  ill  prepared  them.  But  He,  who  "  tempers  the 
wind  to  the  shorn  lamb,"  was  pleased  to  give  them  "  strength 
according  to  their  day  ;  "  and  though  sickness  and  death  in- 
vaded our  feeble  colony,  and  took  from  many  of  us  the  "  de- 


PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  269 

light  of  our  eyes,"  they  died  rejoicing  that  they  had  lived  to 
see  a  church  planted  in  America,  where  their  posterity  might 
enjoy  their  religious  privileges,  "  with  none  to  molest  or 
make  them  afraid."  ' 

'  The  noble  house  of  Lincoln,'  said  Atherton,  '  I  under- 
stand has  warmly  patronized  the  cause  of  New  England,  and 
contributed  both  in  word  and  deed  to  its  prosperity  and  ad- 
vancement.' 

'  Its  most  precious  gift,'  returned  Mr.  Winthrop,  '  was  its 
virtuous  daughters  ;  who  though  accustomed  to  the  elegancies 
and  refinements  of  polished  life,  cheerfully  "  forsook  all  for 
the  gospel's  sake ;  "  and  without  a  murmur,  endured  the 
wants  and  submitted  to  the  privations  which  they  were  des- 
tined to  encounter  in  this  distant  land  ;  adding  lustre  to  their 
rank  by  the  cheerful  resignation  with  which  they  suffered  ad- 
versity, and  the  graceful  sweetness  and  condescension  of  their 
carriage  towards  those,  whom  Providence  had  placed  in  an  in- 
ferior station,  but  whom  a  common  cause  had  united^  with 
them  in  the  bands  of  Christian  fellowship.' 

'  The  circumstance  of  their  quitting  England,'  said  Ather- 
ton, '  was  familiar  to  me  at  the  time  ;  and  I  well  remember  it, 
as  an  occurrence,  which  was  generally  considered  imprudent 
and  hazardous  in  the  extreme.' 

'  With  those  who  are  accustomed  to  connect  passing  events 
with  the  things  of  this  world  only,'  said  Mr.  Winthrop,  '  that 
opinion  must  still  prevail ;  and  the  result  has,  in  some  degree, 
justified  their  prediction.  The  Lady  Arabella,  who  was 
united  to  Mr.  Johnson,  one  of  our  assistants,  a  man  of  piety 
and  worth,  fell  an  early  victim  to  the  hardships  of  her  situa- 
tion, and  was  shortly  followed  to  the  grave  by  her  afflicted 
partner.  Her  sister,  the  Lady  Susan,  who  with  her  husband 
and  children  arrived  at  a  later  period,  is  now  residing  at  Sau- 
gus  :  she  enjoys  a  vigorous  constitution  and  is  happily  sup- 
23* 


270  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

ported  under  the  fatigues  and  difficulties,  which  proved  fatal 
to  so  many  of  the  early  colonists.  But  you  must  pardon  me, 
Major  Atherton,  if  I  have  trespassed  on  your  patience  ;  every 
circumstance  relating  to  the  characters  I  have  loved  and  re- 
vered, and  every  incident  that  has  transpired  in  this  country, 
which  I  have  seen  dawning  and  rising  into  light,  and  where 
my  affections  are  now  wholly  fixed,  are  so  interesting  to  my 
feelings,  that  I  am  sometimes  apt  to  dwell  too  long  upon  them, 
and  forget  that  to  strangers  they  may  be  totally  indifferent.' 

'  They  are  not  so  to  me,'  returned  Atherton  ;  '  I  can  never 
listen  but  with  pleasure,  to  aught  that  relates  to  this  country, 
where  I  have  been  received  with  a  degree  of  kindness  and 
hospitality  entirely  unexpected,  but  which  I  shall  ever  remem- 
ber with  satisfaction,  and  number  the  months  I  have  passed 
here,  among  the  happiest  of  my  life.' 

'  I  had  scarcely  expected,'  said  Mr.  Winthrop,  '  that 
the  strictness  of  our  customs  and  manners  would  be  re- 
garded with  so  much  liberality  by  a  stranger,  and  one  too, 
who  has  been  accustomed  to  the  freedom  of  a  camp.  I  must 
begin  to  think  we  are  less  gloomy  than  our  opposers  are 
willing  to  allow,  or  perhaps  I  should  attribute  it  to  the  can- 
dor of  your  mind,  which  is  inclined  to  color  our  New 
England  scenes  as  agreeably  as  possible.' 

'  My  early  prejudices  are  enlisted  in  your  favor,'  returned 
Atherton ;  '  and  I  am  here,  continually  reminded  of  scenes 
dear  to  my  recollection,  by  the  simplicity  of  manners  and 
rectitude  of  principle  of  those  around  me,  so  congenial  to 
the.  sentiments  which  my  mother  cherished,  and  endeavored 
to  instill  into  my  youthful  mind  ;  though  I  must  acknowledge  I 
have  been  almost  estranged  from  them  since  I  first  quitted  my 
paternal  roof,  and  engaged  in  the  active  duties  of  my 
profession.' 

'  As  you  have   retained  this  predilection,'  said  Mr.  Win- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  271 

throp, '  even  amidst  the  bustle  and  gayety  of  a  military  life,  we 
may  hope  it  will  be  strengthened  by  a  more  familiar  acquaint- 
ance with  our  opinions  and  pursuits,  which,  although  they 
may  present  little  to  dazzle  the  fancy,  I  trust  will  leave  much 
food  for  solid  reflection,  and  that  heartfelt  satisfaction  which 
can  never  be  derived  from  the  vain  and  gaudy  pleasures  of 
the  world.' 

1  My  sentiments  have  been  from  childhood,  divided  on 
these  subjects,'  replied  Atherton  ;  ;  '  and  the  habitual  respect 
and  reverence  which  I  have  ever  felt  for  my  mother's  creed, 
has  often  weighed  heavily  against  the  force  of  education  and 
the  strength  of  hereditary  opinion,  which  attached  me  to  my 
father's  principles.  But  I  ought  to  apologize  to  you,  sir,  for 
so  long  intruding  on  your  time;  I  was  not  aware  that  the 
moments  flew  so  swiftly.' 

'  I  have  passed  them  too  agreeably  to  mark  their  flight,'  re- 
turned Mr.  Winthrop  ;  '  and  I  would  urge  you  to  tarry  longer 
did  not  some  necessary  business  require  my  attention.  I  use 
no  ceremony  with  you,  Major  Atherton,  but  it  would  give  me 
real  pleasure  if  you  would  consent  to  make  my  house  your 
home  during  your  residence  in  this  place.' 

Atherton  declined  his  hospitality,  being  unwilling  to  in- 
trude, and  wishing  to  have  his  time  entirely  at  his  own  dis- 
posal ;  and  with  suitable  acknowledgments  of  his  polite  at- 
tention, he  took  leave  of  Mr.  Winthrop,  after  promising  to 
dine  with  him  on  the  following  day. 

Passing  slowly  onward,  and  irresolute  whether  to  proceed 
to  Governor  Vane's,  or  wait  another  opportunity,  Major  Ath- 
erton's  curiosity  was  attracted  by  a  small  enclosure,  which 
seemed  a  repository  for  the  dead ;  and  with  the  conversation 
of  Mr.  Winthrop  still  vivid  in  his  memory,  he  passed  the 
slight  pealing  which  surrounded  it,  in  the  expectation  of  finding 
some  memento  of  the  ill-fated  lady  Arabella.  Numerous 


272  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

swelling  mounds,  some  marked  by  a  rude  stone  bearing  a  name 
and  date,  or  inscriptive  line  engraved  by  the  hand  of  affection, 
gave  evidence  that  numbers  had  been  called  from  their  earth- 
ly labors  within  the  brief  space  of  time  which  had  succeeded 
the  settlement  of  the  colony.  But  he  looked  in  vain  for  the 
object  which  chiefly  interested  him.  The  remains  of  the  no- 
ble daughter  of  the  Earl  of  Lincoln  had  been  interred  at  Sa- 
lem, where  she  expired  soon  after  her  arrival  in  the  midst  of 
usefulness  and  the  bloom  of  youth,  before  the  accomplishment 
of  those  plans  which  had  cost  so  dear  a  sacrifice,  and  while 
yet  destitute  almost  of  a  shelter,  and  but  scantily  supplied  with 
the  comforts  arid  necessaries  which  her  situation  rendered  in- 
dispensable. Her  husband  removed  to  Boston  ;  but  worn  out 
by  fatigue  and  sorrow  for  her  loss,  he  survived  her  a  few 
weeks  only,  and  was  buried  in  a  portion  of  his  own  grounds, 
— now  bordered  by  Tremont  street,  and  contiguous  to  the 
Stone  Chapel.  Such  was  the  veneration  in  which  his  char- 
acter was  held,  that  others  desired  to  be  laid  beside  him  ;  and 
the  spot  thus  consecrated  by  the  ashes  of  the  Christian  and  the 
patriot,  is  to  this  day  preserved  as  a  receptacle  for  the  dead ; 
and  while  succeeding  generations  are  gathering  around  him, 
the  remembrance  of  his  name  and  virtues  are  also  fading  from 
the  records  of  time. 

Atherton  turned  from  the  place  filled  with  melancholy  re- 
flections, and  was  still  indulging  a  moralizing  mood  when  he 
reached  the  residence  of  Mr.  Vane.  The  house  of  the  chief 
magistrate  was  of  small  dimensions,  and  rather  suited  to  the 
strictness  of  his  principles  and  his  rigid  conformity  to  the  pre- 
vailing manners  of  a  sect,  than  to  the  dignity  of  his  rank  and 
office.  It  was  situated  in  a  beautifully  secluded  spot,  then 
commanding  a  fine  view  of  the  harbor  and  islands,  and  shel- 
tered by  a  hill  which  has  since  been  leveled  to  promote  the 
objects  of  public  utility,  ornament  and  convenience,  tt  was 


PEEP     AT    THE     PILGPJMS.  273 

afterwards  enlarged  and  occupied  by  the  celebrated  Mr. 
Cotton,  to  whom  Mr.  Vane  presented  it  on  returning  to  Eng- 
land. 

The  Governor  received  Major  Atherton  with  marked  polite- 
ness ;  indeed  there  was  an  appearance  of  frankness  and  affa- 
bility in  his  manners,  which  iuvited  confidence  and  regard, 
and  which  united  to  a  gravity  of  countenance  and  deportment, 
particularly  agreeable  to  a  people  jealous  of  their  peculiar 
forms,  had  gained  for  him  an  extent  of  popularity  which  he 
evidently  prized,  though  anxious  to  appear  utterly  indifferent 
to  it.  To  Atherton,  this  rare  union  of  qualities  so  seldom  at- 
tained, even  at  a  maturer  age,  appeared  almost  unnatural  in 
one  so  young,  and  whose  station  and  connections  had  early 
brought  him  within  the  sphere  of  a  dissipated  court.  Though 
compelled  to  admire  the  versatility  of  his  talents,  the  intel- 
ligence and  acuteness  of  his  remarks,  Atherton  could  not 
but  admit  the  belief,  that  latent  ambition  and  worldly  pol- 
icy had  induced  him  to  assume  a  character  foreign  to  his 
real  disposition  and  feelings.  But  Mr.  Vane  possessed,  in 
an  eminent  degree,  the  art  of  adapting  his  conversation  to 
the  taste  and  circumstances  of  those  with  whom  he  associ- 
ated ;  and  on  this  occasion  he  thought  proper  to  divest  his 
discourse  of  that  peculiar  phraseology  and  sectarian  cant 
which  he  had  always  at  command,  and  often  used  to  ad- 
vantage. In  discussing  the  political  events  of  England,  and 
alluding  to  scenes  and  persons  familiar  both  to  himself  and 
Atherton,  the  latter  became  insensibly  weaned  from  the 
prejudice  he  had  unconsciously  imbibed,  and  engaged  with 
spirit  in  a  conversation  which  seemed  once  more  to  place 
him  on  the  stage  of  active  life.  He  had  never  till  now, 
since  his  residence  in  America,  met  with  any  one  whose 
recent  and  personal  observation  interested  him  in  the  pass- 
ing occurrences  and  leading  characters  of  his  native  land ; 


274  PEEP    AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 

and  the  subject  became  so  pleasing  to  him, — awakened  so 
many  dormant  feelings,  and  so  powerfully  renewed  the 
schemes  of  usefulness  and  enjoyment,  which  had  of  late 
been  interrupted  by  a  more  absorbing  passion, — that  he  re- 
tired with  reluctance  when  politeness  compelled  him  to  con- 
clude his  interview  with  the  Governor. 

The  day  terminated  in  a  snow  storm,  the  most  severe  that 
Major  Atherton  had  ever  witnessed;  and,  during  its  continu- 
ance, he  had  ample  leisure  to  indulge  the  feelings  which  had 
been  called  into  exercise  by  the  events  of  the  morning,  and  to 
form  many  resolutions,  the  execution  of  which  was  however 
left  to  the  mercy  of  circumstances.  His  first  determination 
was  to  return  to  England  early  in  the  ensuing  summer, — 
there  to  engage  in  some  pursuits  which  might  obliterate  the 
mortifying  disappointment  which  still  rankled  in  his  mind, 
and  again  attach  him  to  the  ordinary  pleasures  and  cares  of 
the  world.  '  I  shall  weary  of  this  unsettled  state,'  he  thought, 
'  when  my  curiosity  is  satiated  with  the  wonders  of  the  new 
world,  and  gladly  retire  to  the  peaceful  shades  of  my  child- 
hood.' But  he  failed  not  to  add  the  saving  clause,  '  if  the 
return  of  Mr.  Grey  produces  no  change  in  the  decision  of 
Miriam.'  A  hope  which  still  lingered  in  the  recesses  of  his 
heart,  and  colored  with  its  rainbow  tints,  every  vision  of  fu- 
turity. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  275 


CHAPTER     XIX. 

Those  holy  men,  so  full  of  truth  and  grace, 
Seem  to  reflection,  of  a  diff'rent  race ; 
Meek,  modest,  venerable,  wise,  sincere, 
In  such  a  cause  they  could  not  dare  to  fear. 

COWPER. 

MR.  WINTHROP  assembled  at  his  house  on  the  following  day, 
some  of  the  most  distinguished  worthies  of  New  England; — 
men  whose  characters  and  example  were  then  the  theme  of 
praise,  and  whose  memories  still  claim  our  highest  respect  and 
veneration. 

There  were  the  learned  and  patriarchal  Cotton,  the  pious 
and  benevolent  Wilson,  and  the  apostolic  Eliot,  with  others 
equally  renowned  in  the  early  history  of  the  Colony;  and  the 
feelings  of  Major  Atherton  wore  highly  gratified  on  finding 
himself,  by  the  easy  politeness  of  his  host,  and  the  courtesy 
of  the  guests,  at  once  familiarized  in  a  circle  which  included 
so  many  of  the  wise  and  eminent  of  the  age  and  country. — 
Most  of  them  were  well  educated,  experienced  in  the  ways  of 
the  world,  and  accustomed  to  the  usages  of  polite  life;  and 
though  liberality  of  religious  feeling  was  not  the  crying  sin 
of  the  times,  Atherton  had  no  reason  to  complain  that  the  er- 
rors of  prelacy,  with  which  he  was  chargeable,  exposed  him 
to  coldness  or  neglect.  On  the  contrary,  the  company  in  gen- 
eral seemed  well  inclined  to  obey  the  apostolic  command,  'be 
courteous,'  which  was  enforced  by  the  example  of  Mr.  Win- 
throp,  whose  benevolence  and  urbanity,  were  never  subjected 
to  the  invidious  distinctions  of  party  spirit.  Nor  were  they  so 
austere  and  formal,  so  gloomy  and  misanthropic  as  the  revil- 

:  J  * 
* 


276  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

ers  of  that  day,  and  the  light  and  vain  talkers  of  the  present, 
have  generally  supposed.  It  was  an  age  of  superstition  and 
fanaticism,  and  no  sect  of  christians  was  exempt  from  their 
influence.  But  the  acts  of  intolerance  which  stain  their  pub- 
lic records,  did  not  necessarily  poison  the  stream  of  private 
happiness,  or  blight  the  tender  charities  of  life  ;  and  while 
dissipation  was  suppressed,  profligacy  abhorred,  and  vice  made 
ashamed  to  show  its  distorted  visage,  the  gentler  virtues  were 
brought  into  exercise ;  and  we  have  reason  to  believe  that 
our  fathers  were  as  exemplary  in  their  domestic  relations,  as 
cheerful  in  social  life,  as  light  of  heart,  if  not  of  head,  as  their 
more  liberal-minded  posterity. 

The  pleasures  of  society  were  not  then,  at  least  in  New 
England,  encumbered  with  the  thousand  nameless  fripperies 
of  fashion,  which  destroy  every  rational  enjoyment,  and  ren- 
der a  modern  party,  a  scene  of  expense  and  fatigue,  of  noisy 
mirth  and  Babel-like  confusion.  In  the  intellectual  circle 
which  Mr.  Winthrop  drew  around  him,  Major  Atherton  was 
reminded  of  the  refined  hospitality  of  his  father's  house,  where 
he  had  been  accustomed  to  meet  with  characters  distinguish- 
ed for  their  merit  and  talents.  If  a  certain  air  of  grave  preci- 
sion marked  the  manners  of  the  Puritans,  and  formed  a  par- 
tition-wall between  them  and  their  brethren  of  other  denom- 
inations, this  gradually  wore  away,  or  was  disregarded 
in  the  freedom  of  familiar  intercourse,  the  interest  of  anima- 
ted discussion,  and  the  warmth  of  contending  argument  and 
opinion. 

Mrs.  Winthrop,  whom  Atherton  had  not  before  seen,  was  a 
sensible,  well-bred  woman,  and  presided  with  dignity  and 
grace  at  her  table,  which  was  furnished  with  a  variety  of  sub- 
stantial fare,  served  up  with  a  degree  of  neatness  and  order, 
sufficient  to  prove,  that  the  watchful  eye  of  the  mistress  'look- 
ed well  to  the  ways  of  her  household  ;  ' — a  task,  which,  in 


PEEP    AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  277 

those  days  of  primitive  simplicity,  before  a  love  of  show  and 
dissipation,  or  the  ambition  of  wearing  the  blue  stocking,  had 
infected  all  ranks  and  ages,  was  not  disdained  by  the  highest 
dames  of  the  land.  The  conclusion  of  a  long  blessing,  by 
Mr.  Wilson,  in  which  the  reverend  gentleman  seemed  to 
forget  that  dinner  was  cooling, — became  the  signal  for  a  gen- 
eral attack  upon  the  well-dressed  viands,  in  which  both  di- 
vines and  statesmen  signalized  themselves  by  their  vigor  and 
abilities. 

'  I  should  inform  you,  Major  Atherton,'  said  Mr.  Winthrop, 
observing  that  he  was  about  to  pledge  him  in  a  goblet  of  wine, 
'  that  we  have  restrained  the  useless  custom  of  drinking  to 
each  other's  health,  which  in  our  opinion  tends  to  excess, 
by  leading  one  another  to  taste,  through  courtesy,  when  it  is 
neither  needful  nor  desired.  The  fashion  is  now  scarcely  fol- 
lowed by  any  of  our  sober  citizens,  and  we  trust  will  soon  be 
abolished  altogether.' 

'  I  am  happy  to  relinquish  a  custom,'  said  Atherton,  '  which 
has  often  subjected  me  to  inconvenience,  though  I  have  never 
felt  at  liberty  to  oppose  it,  nor  was  1  before  aware,  that  any  ef- 
forts had  been  made  to  discountenance  a  fashion  so  prevalant 
and  so  long  established.' 

1  It  is  not  easy,'  returned  Mr.  Winthrop,  '  to  break  through 
the  modes  of  society,  which  habit  has  rendered  familiar  and 
agreeable ;  but  the  sympathy  of  feeling,  which  united  our 
feeble  band  in  the  early  days  of  our  settlement  rendered  the 
attempt  practicable,  and  ensured  its  success  ;  and  we  conceive 
it  important,  that  no  custom  be  allowed  in  the  beginning  of  a 
colony,  which  may  hereafter  serve  as  a  precedent  leading  to 
immorality  or  excess  of  any  kind.' 

'  It  is  doubtless  prudent,'  said  Mr.  Cotton,  '  to  use  wise  pre- 
cautions, and  establish  just  and  salutary  regulations  ;  but  as 
the  state  increaseth,  errors  and  abuses  will  creep  in,  which 
24 


278  PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

the  arm  of  the  law  cannot  reach,  and  which  the  rich  and  pow- 
erful are  alone  able  to  suppress  ;  the  influence  of  their  exam- 
ple extends  through  every  grade  of  society,  and  whatever  they 
refuse  to  sanction,  becomes  unfashionable,  and  is  of  course  re- 
jected.' 

'  Such  has  been  the  influence  of  the  higher  classes  in  Eng- 
land,' said  Mr.  Vane,  '  and  still  is,  to  the  destruction  of  prin- 
ciple and  good  order  ;  but  we  may  hope  better  of  this  favored 
people,  even  that  the  example  of  our  great  men  will  be  for 
those  things,  which  tend  to  "  peace  and  righteousness." ' 

'  On  that,  we  may  rely  with  some  confidence,'  said  Mr.  El- 
iot ;  '  but  I  could  wish  the  influence  of  Mr.  Winthrop  had  been 
exerted  not  only  to  abolish  the  foolish  custom  of  drinking 
healths,  but  also  the  superfluous  use  of  the  liquor  itself,  which 
is  often  a  snare,  even  to  the  sober  and  temperate.' 

'  A  moderate  use  of  it  is  not  forbidden  us,'  replied  Mr. 
Winthrop  ;  '  even  the  apostle  commends  it  for  the  "  stomach's 
sake,"  and  our  infirmities  sometimes  render  it  needful  and  sal- 
utary.' 

'  No  one  can  object  to  it,  as  a  medicine,'  returned  Mr. 
Eliot ;  '  but  when  it  is  not  needful  for  the  health,  we  may  be 
allowed  to  scruple  concerning  a  practice,  which  causeth  the 
waste  of  many  precious  moments,  and  is  apt  to  introduce  vain 
and  unprofitable  discourse.' 

'  I  am  not  quite  reconciled  to  your  opinion,  as  yet,'  said 
Mr.  Winthrop  ;  '  but  we  will  not  insist  upon  your  practicing 
what  your  conscience  does  not  approve,  and,  therefore,  allow 
you  to  pass  the  disputed  beverage  to  Mr.  Cotton,  who  I  per- 
ceive is  of  my  way  of  thinking.' 

'  I  have  no  fear  of  excess,  in  this  honorable  company,'  said 
Mr.  Eliot,  smiling;  '  but  for  myself,  I  prefer  the  wholesome 
draught  of  which  our  first  parents  partook  in  the  garden  of 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  279 

Eden,  and  which  the  Lord  caused  to  flow  from  the  rock  of 
Horeb  to  revive  the  fainting  tribes  of  Israel.' 

'  We  have  not  all,'  said  Mr.  Cotton, '  the  self-denial  of  our 
brother  Eliot ;  or  perhaps  he  is  from  early  habit,  indifferent 
to  that  which  from  the  same  principle  is  in  a  manner  necessa- 
ry to  others.' 

4  You  are  probably  right,  sir  ; '  returned  Mr.  Eliot.  '  But 
speaking  of  habits  I  know  of  none  at  present  which  infest  our 
land  more  inveterate  and  pernicious  in  its  consequences  than 
the  immoderate  use  of  tobacco,  that  unwholsome  weed  culti- 
vated and  spread  abroad  by  the  idle  planters  of  Virginia.' 

'  I  am  surprised,'  said  Atherton,  '  that  a  practice  so  inimical 
to  cleanliness  should  ever  have  received  the  saction  of  any  civ- 
ilized people.' 

'  The  exhilarating  qualities  of  the  plant,'  replied  Mr.  Win- 
throp,  '  produce  a  charm  upon  the  spirits,  irresistible  to  those 
who  have  once  indulged  it ;  and  it  is  besides  a  soothing 
amusement  when  inclined  to  indolence  and  solitude.' 

'  Our  late  sovereign,'  returned  Mr.  Eliot,  '  never  employed 
his  time  and  talents  to  more  advantage,  than  in  writing  against 
this  obnoxious  weed ;  and  I  wish  his  royal  advice  had  been 
treated  with  as  much  deference  in  this  particular,  as  in  others 
which  have  proved  less  advantageous  to  his  subjects.' 

'  It  is  after  all,'  said  Governor  Vane,  '  but  a  heathenish 
practice,  and  fit  to  be  followed  only  by  the  wandering  tribes 
who  roam  the  wilderness  in  a  state  but  little  exalted  above  the 
savage  beasts.' 

'  Wretched,  almost  inhuman,  as  these  poor  outcasts  now 
appear,'  said  Mr.  Eliot,  '  I  trust  the  day  is  not  far  distant, 
when  the  light  of  Christianity  shall  dawn  upon  them  ;  when 
they  shall  be  brought  into  the  fold  of  the  church,  and  taught 
the  arts  of  civilization,  and  the  blessings  of  social  life.' 

Mr.  Eliot  spoke  with  energy,   and  his   benevolent  counte- 


280  PEEP  AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

nance  was  animated  with  enthusiasm  as  he  touched  upon  a 
theme  which  excited  his  ardent  hopes,  employed  his  time  and 
exercised  his  talents  ;  and  to  which  the  labors  of  a  long  and 
eminently  useful  life  were  devoted.  As  yet  his  plans  were 
immature  and  he  was  but  preparing  for  those  extensive  exer- 
tions which  afterwards  led  him  to  sacrifice  every  personal  con- 
sideration and  carried  him  to  the  inhospitable  abodes  of  sav- 
age man, — exposed  to  the  wintry  tempest  and  summer's  heat, 
— and  often  wet  with  the  dews  of  night, — that  he  might  in- 
struct the  ignorant  and  superstitious  natives,  and  lead  them  to 
the  pure  worship  of  the  true  God. 

'  This  is  a  subject,'  said  Mr.  Winthrop,  '  which  has  long  ex- 
cited the  serious  interest  of  the  humane  and  pious  both  in  Eng- 
land and  America  ;  but  as  yet  small  progress  has  been  made 
in  the  work  which  is  suffered  to  languish  from  lack  of  labor- 
ers to  enter  into  the  vineyard.' 

'  It  presents  almost  insuperable  difficulties,  even  to  the  most 
sanguine  mind,'  replied  Mr.  Wilson,  '  and  a  spirit  of  cour- 
age and  perseverance  similar  to  that  which  actuated  the  holy 
apostles,  can  alone  enable  any  one  to  prosper  in  the  under- 
taking.' 

'  To  me  it  appears  less  formidable,'  said  Mr.  Eliot ;  '  the 
cordial  concurrence  of  our  public  assemblies,  the  prayers  and 
alms  of  good  and  enlightened  individuals,  have  already  sanc- 
tioned the  undertaking,  and  with  the  armor  of  faith  and  in 
humble  dependence  on  the  assistance  of  Heaven,  I  would 
freely  devote  my  poor  abilities  to  forward  so  glorious  a 
cause.' 

'  We  hope  much  from  the  zealous  concern  you  have  man- 
ifested, Mr.  Eliot,  for  these  poor  benighted  heathens,'  said 
the  Governor  ;  '  and  your  success  in  mastering  the  diffi~ 
culties  of  their  language,  we  are  ready  to  believe  an  ear- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  281 

nest  of  more  extensive  usefulness,  and  still  higher  attain- 
ments.' 

'  Should  Providence  open  a  path  for  me  in  the  wilderness,' 
returned  Mr.  Eliot,  '  I  shall  count  no  pains  or  difficulties  too 
severe  which  will  enable  me  to  prove  my  fidelity  in  my  mas- 
ter's service,  and  render  me  useful  to  those  unfortunate  beings, 
who,  though  created  in  the  image  of  God,  have  sunk  into  the 
depths  of  barbarism  and  depravity.' 

'No  one  has  yet  devoted  himself  to  this  work,' said  Mr. 
Winthrop  ;  '  but  our  brethren  at  New  Plymouth  have,  by  re- 
peated acts  of  kindness  and  integrity  in  their  dealings,  engag- 
ed the  friendship  of  the  natives  in  those  parts,  which  is  the 
first  step  towards  reclaiming  them  ;  and  in  many  instances  they 
have  listened  with  docility  to  religious  instruction,  and  on  their 
death-beds  expressed  a  wish  that  they  might  go  to  the  En- 
glishman's God.' 

'  The  conduct  of  Governor  Winslow,'  said  Atherton,  '  to- 
wards the  sachem  Mossasoit,  appears  to  me  equally  politic  and 
humane.  Being  dangerously  ill  he  nursed  him  for  many  suc- 
ceeding days  and  nights  with  the  utmost  tenderness,  showing 
by  his  assiduous  attention  a  real  anxiety  for  his  safety  ;  and 
the  gratitude  of  the  Indian  prince  and  his  subjects  which 
has  remained  permanent  to  this  day,  and  been  repeatedly 
manifested  by  friendly  deeds  towards  the  colony,  proves 
them  to  be  accessible  to  the  kind  and  gentle  feelings  of  hu- 
manity.' 

'  Example  is  always  more  powerful  than  precept,'  said  Mr. 
Cotton,  'and  this  chrbtian  conduct  if  pursued,  may  in  time 
produce  the  desired  effect.  But  it  must  be  long  before  we  are 
able  to  overcome  the  prejudices  of  these  savages,  who  were 
exasperated  against  the  white  people,  years  before  the  settle- 
ment of  Plymouth,  by  the  atrocious  conduct  of  the  fisher- 
men and  others,  who  came  on  trucking  voyages  to  these 
24* 


282  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

shores  ;  introduced  the  vice  of  drunkenness  among  them  ; 
and  in  more  than  one  instance,  stole  away  their  people  for 
slaves.' 

'  There  seems  to  be  a  diversity  of  disposition  in  the  differ- 
ent tribes,'  said  Mr.  Winthrop,  'probably  the  result  of  peculiar 
circumstances  in  their  government  and  situation  ;  and  the  de- 
grees of  intercourse  which  they  have  maintained  with  other 
nations.  Those  who  inhabit  the  sea-coast  were  at  first  chief- 
ly affected  by  the  irregular  habits  of  the  traders ;  but  as  their 
commerce  with  the  natives  increased,  others  from  the  interior 
were  allured  thither  by  their  admiration  of  the  tinseled  gew- 
gaws for  which  they  exchanged  the  rich  furs  and  other  valu- 
able commodities  of  the  country;  and  the  white  people — to 
their  shame  be  it  spoken — too  often  gratified  their  propensity 
for  strong  drink,  and  then  took  advantage  of  their  situation  to 
practice  on  them  the  grossest  impositions.' 

'  I  have  seen  some  of  these  miserable  beings,'  said  Atherton, 
'  who  have  acquired  the  sordid  vices  of  our  countrymen  with- 
out any  of  the  virtues  which  spring  from  civilized  and  christ- 
ian  life ;  they  present  a  most  melancholy  and  degrading 
view  of  human  nature,  and  strongly  contrast  with  the  noble 
independence  and  native  generosity  of  the  unsophisticated  sav- 
age.' 

'  The  growth  of  our  plantations,'  said  Mr.  Eliot,  '  and  'our 
persevering  endeavors  to  promote  a  better  spirit,  will,  I  hope, 
with  the  blessing  of  God,  in  due  time  bring  them  to  feel  their 
wretchedness,  and  lead  them  to  seek  their  true  interest  and 
glory,  where  only  they  can  be  found.  It  would  argue  an  un- 
pardonable neglect  in  us  to  be  more  remiss  in  such  a  cause 
than  the  superstitious  papists  of  France,  who  have  sent  their 
priests  to  convert  the  tribes  which  border  on  their  dominions 
of  Canada  and  Acadia.' 

'  They  are  "  blind  leaders  of  the  blind,"  '  said  Mr.  Wilson ; 


PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  283 

1  and  as  well  might  these  poor  deluded  heathen  trust  in  the 
devilish  arts  of  their  own  Powaws,  as  to  seek  for  the  light  of 
truth  amidst  the  errors  and  idolatry  of  those  image-worship- 
ing Jesuits.' 

'  It  is  the  constant  endeavor  of  the  Sachems  and  Poivaws  or 
priests,'  said  Mr.  Cotton,  '  to  prevent  the  English  from  gain- 
ing any  ascendency  over  the  minds  of  their  people,  either  in 
civil  or  religious  affairs ;  they  have  been  accustomed  to  re- 
ceive the  most  implicit  obedience  from  them,  and  their  inter- 
est as  well  as  pride  is  engaged  in  opposing  the  influence  of 
our  nation.' 

'  It  is  not  a  light  thing  to  undertake  the  conversion  and  civ- 
ilization of  such  prejudiced  and  obdurate  beings,'  said  Mr. 
Winthrop ;  '  and  the  success  will  not  probably  equal  our 
hopes  till  another  generation  shall  rise  up  to  water  the  seed 
which  we  may  plant.' 

'  Pardon  me,  sir,  for  differing  from  you  in  opinion  on  this 
subject,'  replied  Mr.  Eliot ;  '  but  I  feel  more  sanguine  in  re- 
gard to  the  result  of  our  labors,  and  hope  better  things  from 
the  natural  disposition  of  these  Indians  than  most  of  my  coun- 
trymen. This  general  belief  in  their  irreclaimable  depravity, 
I  find,  is  disheartening  to  many,  who  would  otherwise  feel  in- 
clined to  help  forward  the  good  work.' 

'  The  experience  of  Mr.  Roger  Williams,  who  has  now  a 
long  time  sojourned  amongst  them;  '  returned  Mr.  Winihrop, 
'  has  been  unfavorable  to  their  character ;  and  though  he  has 
not  received  any  personal  violence  from  their  hands  ;  but  on 
the  contrary  many  important  services,  he  considers  them  as 
stupid  and  depraved  in  the  extreme.' 

'  The  testimony  of  a  man  who  has  himself  introduced 
false  doctrines  and  dissensions  which  have  banished  him  from 
our  churches,'  said  Mr.  Vane,  '  can  scarcely  be  admitted  as 
impartial  and  conclusive  evidence.' 


284  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

•  Whatever  may  be  the  doctrinal  errors  of  Mr.  Williams,' 
replied  Mr.  Winthrop,  'he  has  uniformly  displayed  a  solid 
judgment,  and  most  disinterested  and  benevolent  disposition 
in  his  intercourse  with  society  ;  and  his  influence  over  the  In- 
dians has  been  constantly  exerted  for  our  advantage.' 

'  He  has  certainly  shown  a  truly  Christian  spirit  of  forgive- 
ness,' said  Mr.  Cotton  ;  '  and  believing  as  he  does,  that  he 
has  been  injured  by  the  ministers  and  magistrates  of  Massa- 
chusetts, his  continued  endeavors  to  serve  them  argues  a 
nobleness  of  mind  as  praiseworthy  as  it  is  uncommon.' 

'  The  Lord  turneth  the  heart  of  man,  even  as  the  rivers  of 
water  are  turned,'  said  Mr.  Dudley,  one  of  the  most  inflexi- 
ble of  the  early  colonists,  '  and  he  can  cause  the  "  counsel  of 
Ahitophel  "  to  subserve  his  own  purposes  and  advance  the  in- 
terests of  his  chosen  people.' 

'  If  we  suffer  ourselves  to  view  the  conduct  of  others  through 
the  medium  of  prejudice,'  said  Mr.  Winthrop,  'every  action 
must  appear  distorted  ;  but  in  the  judgment  of  charity,  the 
demeanor  of  Mr.  Williams  since  his  establishment  at  Moo- 
shawsick,  entitles  him  to  respect,  rather  than  reproach  and  sus- 
picion.' 

'Errors  of  opinion,'  said  Mr.  Eliot,  'do  not  always  imply 
hardness  of  heart ;  and  since  he  is  no  longer  a  disturber,  but 
a  promoter  of  our  peace,  we  are  bound  to  esteem  him  for  his 
works'  sake,  and_  suffer  his  objectionable  tenets  to  fade  into 
oblivion.' 

'His  cunningly  devised  fables,'  said  Mr.  Dudley,  'will 
not  speedily  be  forgotten  by  the  church  of  Salem;  and  he  is 
still  bent  on  spreading  them  amongst  the  deluded  band  who 
have  followed  him  to  the  Providence  plantations.' 

'  That  is  beyond  our  jurisdiction,'  said  Mr.  Winthrop  ;  '  and 
we  are  no  longer  authorized  to  restrain  or  punish  him  ;  and 
though  we  have  heretofore  as  magistrates  been  compelled  to 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  285 

admonish  him  for  the  errors  of  his  creed,  we  felt  sincere  es- 
teem for  his  private  virtues,  and  our  confidence  in  him  in- 
duces us,  at  the  present  time,  to  employ  him  as  our  agent  with, 
the  Indians,  among  whom  he  is  located.' 

4  His  knowledge  of  their  character  and  language,'  replied 
Mr.  Dudley,  '  may  qualify  him  for  the  office,  though  to  me 
it  would  seem  less  objectionable  to  select  a  person  who  is  not 
given  up  to  "  strong  delusions."  ' 

'  Our  choice  must  necessarily  be  limited,'  returned  Mr. 
Winthrop  ;  '  nor  would  we  willingly  give  him  or  any  one  else 
reason  to  believe  us  actuated  by  revenge  or  personal  dislike, 
as  might  be  the  case  if  we  chose  another,  and  perhaps  less 
suitable  agent.' 

'  The  charge  would  be  groundless,  and  unworthy  of  our  re- 
gard,' said  Mr.  Dudley,  '  except  so  far  as  we  may  be  justly 
influenced  by  an  abhorrence  of  spiritual  errors.' 

'  He  has  suffered  severely  for  those,  already,'  replied  Mr. 
Winthrop;  'enough,  I  doubt  not,  to  confirm  him  in  his  favorite 
tenet,  that  "  punishment  for  matters  of  conscience  is  persecu- 
tion." ' 

'  I  trust  you  are  not  inclining  to  his  opinion  in  that  respect,' 
returned  Mr.  Dudley  ;  '  but  you  seem  particularly  disposed  to 
treat  him  with  lenity,  and  even  consideration.' 

'  Now  Heaven  forbid,'  said  Governor  Vane,  'that  any  indi- 
vidual present  should  encourage  a  toleration  so  destructive  of 
that  harmony  which  unites  our  churches,  and  which  once  ad- 
mitted, would  open  the  door  for  dissensions  and  sap  the  foun- 
dations of  that  pure  worship  and  those  dear  bought  privileges 
which  our  great  reformers  have  labored  to  establish.' 

'  I  think,'  said  Mr.  Winthrop,  '  I  should  sooner  become  a 
convert  to  that  opinion,  than  certain  others  he  has  advanced  of 
a  totally  opposite  nature  ;  and  which  strikingly  display  the  in- 


286  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

consistency  of  the  human  character,  particularly  when  given 
up  to  the  illusions  of  error.' 

'  It  would  seem  his  wife  had  most  reason  to  complain  of  his 
eccentricity,'  said  Mr.  Cotton,  'since  he  would  not  even  give 
thanks  at  his  meals  when  she  was  present,  because  she  per- 
sisted in  going  to  the  meeting  at  Salem  from  which  he  had 
withdrawn,  on  their  refusing  to  separate  from  the  other 
churches  in  New  England.' 

'  He  thought  it  necessary,  perhaps,'  said  Mr.  Wilson,  'to 
reduce  her  to  obedience ;  as  we  all  know  either  by  experience 
or  observation,  that  when  the  gentler  sex  are  inclined  to  prove 
refractory,  it  is  sometimes  expedient  to  use  coercive  meas- 
ures.' 

'  We  have  never  doubted  the  inclination  of  most  husbands 
to  exercise  their  prerogative,  even  in  trifles,'  said  Mrs.  Win- 
throp,  '  and  it  is  not  surprising  that  it  should  occasionally  pro- 
duce opposition  in  those  who  are  subjected  to  it.' 

'  It  certainly  cannot  excite  surprise  in  this  age  of  the  world,' 
replied  Mr.  Wilson,  '  to  find  women  exercising  a  spirit  of  con- 
tradiction, which  has  been  no  novelty  since  the  days  of  our 
first  mother.' 

'  It  is  our  duty,'  replied  Mrs.  Winthrop,  smiling,  '  to  copy 
the  example  of  your  sex,  who  are  created  so  much  superior  to 
us  in  wisdom  and  intelligence  ;  and  of  course  you  cannot  ex- 
pect us  to  be  deficient  in  so  essential  a  point.' 

'  It  would  indeed  be  an  unreasonable  expectation,'  said  Mr. 
Wilson ;  '  but  I  think  we  are  in  no  immediate  danger  of  hav- 
ig  it  realized.' 

'  I  hope,'  returned  Mrs.  Winthrop,  '  our  clergy  will  not 
adopt  the  sentiments  of  Mr.  Williams  in  regard  to  family  dis- 
cipline, to  produce  the  submission  which  you  seem  to  consider 
desirable.' 

'  That  must  depend  upon  the  families  we  have  to  govern, 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  287 

madam,'  said  Mr.  Wilson,  '  and  their  liability  to  be  led  away 
by  errors  and  false  doctrines.' 

'  Mrs.  Williams  acted  from  principle,'  replied  Mrs.  Win- 
throp,  '  and  she  was  certainly  bound  to  consult  her  own  con- 
science, even  before  the  will  of  her  husband,  who  violated  his 
own  maxim  in  denying  her  that  freedom  of  opinion  which. 
every  reasonable  being  has  a  right  to  exercise.' 

'  That  is  precisely  the  idea  which  Eve  entertained  on  the 
subject  of  female  independence,'  said  Mr.  Wilson,  '  when  she 
listened  to  the  tempter,  and  gratified  her  caprice  and  inclina- 
tion in  tasting  the  "  fruit  of  the  tree  of  good  and  evil ;  "  and  in 
the  same  source  doubtless  originate  the  enormous  errors  of 
Mrs.  Hutchinson,  which  are  "  leading  captive  silly  women," 
and  bringing  contention  into  our  land.' 

'  We  will  suffer  that  unhappy  woman  to  rest  for  the  pres- 
ent,' replied  Mrs.  Winthrop,  who  feared  the  diversity  of  sen- 
timent entertained  by  her  guests  on  that  subject  might  lead  to 
unpleasant  debate.  '  But  I  doubt  if  any  opinions  set  forth 
by  my  sex,  have  produced  more  heart  burnings  than  that 
which  induced  Mr.  Endicot  in  his  zeal  to  deface  the  king's 
colors.' 

'  That  may  be  very  suitable  in  a  grave  magistrate  and  ex- 
perienced man,'  said  Mr.  Dudley,  '  which  would  be  totally 
unbecoming  a  woman,  whom  the  Apostle  exhorts  to  "  shame- 
facedness  and  sobriety,"  and  commands  not  to  "  teach  or  usurp 
authority  over  the  man." 

'  Your  appeal  is  decisive,  sir,'  replied  Mrs.  Winthrop, 
'  and  1  will  retire  from  the  discussion  before  I  become  yet  fur- 
ther involved  in  "  questions  of  doubtful  disputation."  ' 

"  Allow  me  to  become  your  champion,  madam,'  said  Mr. 
Cotton,  '  although  my  arguments  may  not  prove  equal  to  fe- 
male wit  and  address,  which  so  often  win  their  cause  against 
the  strength  of  masculine  talent  and  learning.' 


288  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'  The  scruple  of  Mr.  Endicot,'  said  Governor  Vane,  '  was 
one  which  might  naturally  arise  in  a  devout  and  reflecting 
mind ;  and  we  may  well  be  allowed  to  question  the  lawful- 
ness of  displaying  on  our  banners,  the  cross,  that  relic  of  su- 
perstition, which  was  given  by  the  Pope  to  a  Romish  King  of 
England,  as  a  symbol  of  victory.' 

'  However  we  may  abhor  what  savors  of  those  popish  cus- 
toms,'said  Mr.  Cotton,  '  this  hath  been  so  long  used  as  a  na- 
tional standard,  that  the  people  had  acquired  an  attachment, 
and  even  veneration  for  it,  from  which  it  would  have  been 
more  politic  to  wean  them  by  degrees,  than  to  wrest  it  from 
them  at  once  and  by  force.' 

'  We  may  be  satisfied  with  the  result,  without  reverting  to 
the  means,' returned  Mr.  Vane,  'since  the  piety  and  good 
sense  of  the  people  have  at  length  convinced  them  of  its  un- 
lawfulness, and  contented  them  to  purge  this  idolatry  from  the 
land.' 

'  Still,'  said  Mr.  Cotton, '  Mr.  Endicot  was  not  authorized  to 
cut  out  the  cross,  without  seeking  advice  from  the  court  and 
assistant  magistrates  ;  and  his  rashness  gave  occasion  to  many 
to  speak  reproachfully  of  us,  and  also  endangered  the  public 
peace,  by  inciting  a  tumult  amongst  the  soldiers,  who  at  first 
refused  to  train  with  the  defaced  colors.' 

'  In  the  belief  that  he  was  actuated  by  tenderness  of  con- 
science,' said  Mr.  Winthrop  ;  '  we  are  bound  to  pass  lightly 
over  his  offence,  as  the  court  hath  already  done;  and,  indeed 
it  required  much  zeal  and  courage  to  abolish  an  ensign  which 
has  been  long  associated  with  the  military  glory  of  England, 
and  of  course  cherished  with  feelings  of  pride  by  those  who 
love  her  prosperity  and  admire  her  greatness.' 

'If  I  mistake  not,'  said  Atherton,  'I  observed  our  national 
banner  floating  from  the  fort  at  Castle  Island,  and  therefore  pre- 
sume this  scruple  has  not  generally  prevailed.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  289 

'  It  was  taken  down  for  a  time,'  returned  Mr.  Winthrop, 
«  but  our  loyalty  being  called  in  question  on  that  account,  we 
deemed  it  proper,  as  the  fort  is  maintained  in  the  king's  name, 
to  mount  his  own  colors  upon  it.  His  Majesty  has  not  more 
faithful  subjects,  throughout  his  wide  dominions,  than  in  these 
colonies  of  New  England  ;  but  there  are  certain  matters  touch- 
ing our  religious  faith  and  worship,  for  which  we  hold  our- 
selves amenable  to  our  own  consciences  alone.' 

Mr.  Winthrop  soon  after  this  conversation  led  the  way  into 
another  apartment ;  and  at  the  close  of  a  social  and  agreeable 
evening,  Major  Atherton  returned  to  his  humble  lodgings. 


25 


290  PEEP     AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER     XX. 

Mais  Tame  d'un  amant  retrouve  par-tout  les  traces  de  1'objet  aime.  La 
nuit  et  la  jour,  le  calme  des  solitudes,  et  le  bruit  des  habitations,  le  temp 
meme  qui  emporte  tant  de  souvenirs,  rien  ne  peut  Ten  ecarter. 

ST.  PIEKKB. 

SEVERAL  succeeding  weeks  passed  away,  unmarked  by  any 
occurrences  worthy  of  particular  detail ;  and  the  situation 
and  feelings  of  Major  Atherton  at  that  period  are  best  de- 
scribed by  himself,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  his  kinsman  at 
Plymouth,  which  we  have  transcribed  from  the  records  of  the 
Atherton  family,  and  with  some  slight  alterations,  take  the 
liberty  to  lay  before  our  readers. 

TO  CAPTAIN  MILES  STANDISH. 


I  have  been  long  intending  to  answer  your  friendly  letter, 
but  various  circumstances  have  of  late  prevented  me,  though 
not  as  you  seem  to  intimate,  forgetfulness  of  my  Plymouth 
friends,  with  whom  my  thoughts  are  daily  conversant.  I 
know  not  how  it  is,  but  my  time  is  continually  occupied,  and 
I  sometimes  vainly  wish  for  a  solitary  evening,  to  reflect  on 
past  events,  and  look  forward  to  my  future  prospects.  The 
inhabitants  of  this  place  are  hospitable,  and  socially  inclined, 
beyond  my  expectations,  and  have  successfully  exerted  them- 
selves to  render  my  situation  agreeable.  To  the  polite  atten- 
tions of  Governor  Vane,  and  Mr.  Winthrop,  I  am  particularly 
indebted ;  and  at  their  houses,  and  those  of  several  other  gen- 
tlemen of  note  here,  I  am  at  all  times  welcomed  and  encour- 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  291 

aged  to  visit  with  the  utmost  familiarity.  Indeed,  I  have 
been  repeatedly  urged  to  take  up  my  abode  with  them  alto- 
gether during  my  residence  here;  but  I  feel  more  independent 
in  my  present  lodgings,  humble  as  they  are,  and  am  very 
comfortably  accommodated  in  the  same  apartment  as  Master 
Cole  informs  me,  that  you  occupied  when  here  in  the  autumn ; 
and  which,  he  says,  is  kept  for  respectable  people  only ;  such. 
I  suppose  he  means,  as  are  willing  to  pay  something  above 
the  ordinary  price.  These  separatists,  in  casting  off  the 
works  of  prelacy,  I  find  have  not  quite  divested  themselves  of 
the  love  of  Mammon,  which  will  probably  be  the  last  bond  of 
union  that  is  dissolved. 

I  have  accompanied  my  friends  in  several  excursions  to  the 
neighboring  towns,  and  1  assure  you  have  become  a  most  in- 
defatigable traveler  over  the  deepest  snows,  through  trackless 
forests,  and  across  frozen  streams.  I  went  a  short  time  since 
to  Newtown — which,  by  the  way,  is  to  be  called  Cambridge 
in  future — with  a  son  of  Mr.  Winthrop,  who  you  may  tell  our 
friend  Peregrine,  has  almost  as  much  lively  humor  as  him- 
self, but  seasoned  with  rather  more  discretion.  I  was  much 
pleased  with  the  situation  of  that  place,  it  was  early  intended 
for  a  fortified  town  ;  and  though  that  plan  is  now  relinquished, 
it  is  handsomely  laid  out,  the  streets  crossing  each  other  at 
right  angles,  and  a  square  reserved  for  a  market-place.  It 
lies  on  the  river  Charles,  and  will  probably  become  an  impor- 
tant place  in  the  course  of  time  ;  it  is  now  indeed  one  of  the 
most  thriving  villages  in  the  Bay,  and  I  understand  a  College 
is  to  be  founded  there  in  the  ensuing  year.  I  have  also  been, 
on  the  ice  to  Noddle's  Island,  and  was  hospitably  entertained 
in  the  family  of  Mr.  Maverick,  who  established  himself  there 
before  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Winthrop  and  company.  He  pre- 
sides in  his  sea-girt  isle  like  one  of  the  rural  princes  whom 
Homer  celebrates,  though — his  household  excepted — with 


292  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

only  the  brute  creation  for  his  subjects.  Or  perhaps  his 
military  state — for  he  has  built  a  fort  and  mounted  cannon  on 
it,  for  defence  against  the  natives — may  more  resemble  the 
renowned  hero  of  a  fairy  tale,  who,  in  his  solitary  dominions, 
performs  those  feats  of  valor  and  enchantment,  which  are  the 
wonder  of  our  boyhood ;  and  several  negroes  whom  he  has 
domesticated  in  his  family,  with  their  black  glossy  skins, 
yellow  eyes  and  ivory  teeth,  might  well  represent  those  imps, 
which  administer  to  the  spells  of  the  magician.  My  last  ex- 
pedition extended  to  Saugus,  where  we  were  detained  several 
days  by  a  severe  snow  storm  ;  but  the  time  passed  very  pleas- 
antly in  the  society  of  Mr.  Humfrey  and  his  noble  consort, 
who  seem  to  be  well  accommodated  and  quite  happy,  though 
I  confess  it  is  the  most  dreary  part  of  the  country  I  have  yet 
seen  ;  and  I  could  not  but  feel  surprised  that  they  should  fix 
their  abode  here.  Mr.  Humfrey  is  an  Assistant,  and  of  course, 
much  engaged  in  public  affairs  ;  though  still  as  deeply  inter- 
ested in  agricultural  pursuits  as  the  most  laborious  farmer  in 
England.  I  witnessed  with  admiration,  the  cheerfulness  with 
which  his  lady  submitted  to  a  situation  so  different  from  that 
to  which  she  had  been  accustomed,  in  the  ease  and  luxury  of 
her  father's  house.  From  thence  I  proceeded  to  Salem, 
which  is  worthy  of  attention,  as  one  of  the  earliest  settlements 
in  the  Massachusetts ;  and  where  the  people,  it  is  said,  are  far 
more  rigid  than  in  the  other  plantations.  I  was  absent  about 
a  week,  and  gladly  returned  to  Boston,  where  I  feel  more  at 
home  than  in  any  other  place  which  I  have  visited  since  I  left 
your  friendly  roof. 

Thus,  my  dear  sir,  I  have  given  you  a  sketch  of  my  various 
excursions — at  the  risk  of  wearying  your  patience — as  a  sort 
of  apology  for  my  long  silence,  and  to  convince  you  that  I  am 
not  chilled  by  your  New  England  frosts,  nor  become  inactive, 
and  indifferent  to  the  pleasures  which  are  offered  to  me.  On 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  293 

the  whole  I  am  delighted  with  this  part  of  the  country,  so  far 
as  I  can  judge  at  this  unfavorable  season,  and  were  I  to  be- 
come a  settler  on  these  shores,  should  give  it  a  decided  pre- 
ference over  any  that  I  have  yet  seen.  I  know  your  natural 
partiality  for  the  old  colony  of  Plymouth,  and  therefore  offer 
this  opinion  with  some  diffidence,  begging  at  the  same  time 
that  you  will  not  think  me  a  heretic  in  all  my  sentiments,  as 
well  as  in  matters  of  religion.  The  rich  variety  of  scenery, 
beautiful  even  in  wintry  dreariness,  the  abundance  of  streams 
and  rivers,  the  extensive  valleys  interwoven  with  lofty  and 
finely  wooded  hills — all  bespeak  a  land  of  fruitfulness  and 
abundance,  which  has  been  blessed  by  its  great  Creator,  and 
needs  only  the  hand  of  industry  to  fill  the  store-houses  and 
granaries,  even  to  overflowing.  I  am  pleased  too,  with  the 
manners  of  the  people,  and  have  experienced  the  highest  sat- 
isfaction in  their  conversation  and  society.  There  are  many 
men  here  of  extensive  learning  and  eminent  talents,  who  have 
been  distinguished  in  the  first  society  in  England,  and  whose 
influence  softens  the  rude  and  jarring  elements  of  an  infant 
colony,  and  ameliorates  the  rigid  tenets  of  the  religion  they 
have  adopted.  Many  also  have  figured  in  the  gayer  circles 
of  life — are  descended  from  ancient  families — and  allied  to 
houses  of  nobility  and  distinction  ;  their  manners  and  conver- 
sation retain  a  degree  of  polish  and  refinement,  happily 
blended  with  the  primitive  simplicity  which  characterize  the 
inhabitants  of  Plymouth. 

I  must  crave  your  patience,  while  I  advance  another  heter- 
odox opinion,  which  you  will  not  perhaps,  readily  admit ;  but 
they  appear  to  me  less  bigoted  than  the  good  people  of  your 
colony,  who  are  always  sure  to  find  the  cloven  foot  beneath  a 
surplice,  and  the  devil's  spirit  in  every  printed  prayer-book. 
Perhaps  my  semi-puritan  descent  leads  them  to  overlook  my 
prelatical  errors,  or  to  pass  lightly  over  them,  in  the  hope  of 
25* 


294  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

converting  me  by  fair  words  ;  but,  however  this  may  be,  they 
have  certainly  more  charity  towards  the  mother  church,  than 
many  of  their  Plymouth  brethren  ;  though  in  minor  points  I 
must  confess  they  quite  equal — in  some  perhaps  surpass  you. 
My  conflict  with  Master  Handcuff  the  constable,  which  I 
mentioned  to  you  in  my  last  letter,  was  certainly  an  un- 
rivaled exploit,  quite  beyond  the  genius  of  your  laws  ;  and  to 
avoid  a  repetition  of  it,  I  find  I  must  refrain  from  all  observ- 
ance of  the  approaching  Christmas,  which  is  expressly  for- 
bidden by  law.  When  will  rulers  learn  to  let  every  man 
judge  for  himself  in  matters  of  conscience  and  religion  ? 

As  for  the  news  of  the  place,  concerning  which  you  make 
inquiries — the  old  story  of  Mrs.  Hutchinsori  is  still  a  fruitful 
subject  for  discussion,  and  the  difference  of  opinion  respecting 
her  doctrines  and  conduct  is  a  source  of  much  bitter  invective. 
The  Governor  continues  her  firm  partizan,  and  it  is  generally 
thought  that  Mr.  Cotton  is  tinged  with  her  errors ;  though  his 
calm  temperament  is  less  easily  excited  than  her  enthusiastic 
imagination.  She  is  undoubtedly  an  uncommon  woman ;  full 
of  spirit  and  independence,  wiih  great  strength  of  mind,  and 
versatility  of  talents — an  artful  address,  and  a  surprising  com- 
mand of  language,  which  is  particularly  displayed  in  the- 
subtlety  of  her  controversial  arguments.  The  countenance  of 
Mr.  Vane  and  others  has  greatly  emboldened  her;  she  has 
withdrawn  from  public  worship,  and  holds  lectures  at  her  own 
house,  where  she  instructs  the  sisters,  who  resort  to  her  in 
great  numbers.  The  most  respectable  are  drawn  to  listen  to 
her,  and  none  of  either  sex  are  excluded  who  feel  inclined  to 
profit  by  her  edifying  discourses.  Had  the  magistrates  and 
clergy  disregarded  her  at  first,  she  would  probably  have  sunk 
into  forgetfulness  ;  but  their  impolitic  interference  produced  a 
degree  of  party  excitement,  and  the  violence  of  their  opposi- 
tion constantly  increased  her  disciples,  till  her  influence  ex- 


PEEP    AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  295 

tends  to  the  most  important  affairs,  both  "of  church  and  state. 
The  continued  aggressions  of  the  Pequod  tribe,  are  also  a 
theme  of  complaint  and  conjecture ;  and  it  is  feared  that  hos- 
tilities will  commence  with  fatal  rigor  on  both  sides,  in  the 
approaching  spring. 

Added  to  these  copious  topics,  the  conduct  of  Governor 
Vane  has  of  late  giverf  much  offence  to  some,  and  much  anx- 
iety and  regret  to  others.  His  popularity  is  on  the  decline ; 
and,  sensible  of  it  himself,  he  has  requested  leave  to  resign 
the  government,  urging  as  a  plea,  certain  letters  received  from 
London,  and  containing  orders  for  his  return.  His  departure 
was  acceded  to  by  the  court,  but  the  church  refused  their  as- 
sent, and  he  was  without  much  difficulty  persuaded  to  remain. 
I  am  not  sufficiently  conversant  in  public  affairs,  to  give  an 
impartial  opinion  on  this  subject;  but  I  confess  there  is  an 
appearance  of  dissimulation  in  his  conduct,  from  which  I 
could  wish  him  free;  he  certainly  used  considerable  address, 
in  exciting  the  feelings  of  the  parties,  and  moulding  them  to 
his  purpose. 

But  I  will  not  detain  you  longer  with  these  minute  details, 
though  I  wish  it  were  in  my  power  to  interest  you  in  the 
transactions  of  the  times,  as  far  as  to  induce  you  to  come 
hither  and  be  an  eye  and  ear  witness,  as  soon  as  the  season 
will  permit.  I  hope  you  will  remember  that  you  almost 
promised  to  join  me  here  in  the  spring,  if  not  sooner.  After 
all  that  I  have  said  in  this  long  epistle,  I  trust  you  will  not 
think  my  inclination  so  much  turned  towards  these  '  meddle- 
some Massachusetts  people,'  as  you  call  them,  as  to  render 
me  forgetful  of  the  kind  friends  whom  I  have  left  at  Plymouth. 
My  heart  turns  to  them  with  grateful  remembrance,  and  I  often 
long  to  form  one  of  the  social  group  which  is  gathered  around 
your  blazing  fire,  and  to  mingle  again  with  the  cheerful  circle 
at  Mr.  Winslow's.  I  understand  an  English  vessel  has  re- 


296  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

cently  arrived  at  Plymouth; — did  it  bring  any  intelligence 
from  Mr.  Grey  ?  If  there  are  any  letters  for  me,  please  to 
forward  them  by  the  first  opportunity.  I  will  thank  you  to 
remind  Peregrine  White  that  he  promised  to  write  me,  and 
that  I  expect  a  well-filled  sheet,  whenever  he  can  find  leisure 
from  teazing  Master  Ashly,  and  his  other  favorites.  Tell 
your  little  rose-bud,  from  me — nonsense  ! — do  not  tell  her  any 
thing.  With  kind  remembrances  to  all  my  friends,  believe 
me,  dear  sir,  your  obliged  kinsman, 

EDWARD  ATHERTON. 
Boston,  20th  Dec.,  1636. 

Major  Atherton  prepared  this  letter  to  send  by  the  master 
of  a  pinnace  which  was  hourly  expecting  to  sail  for  Plymouth; 
and  at  the  commencement  of  a  cold  and  serene  evening,  he 
sallied  forth  to  deliver  it  himself  into  his  hand.  There  was  a 
great  quantity  of  ice  in  the  harbor,  extending  to,  and  connect- 
ing several  of  the  nearest  islands  ;  but  the  channel  remained 
clear  and  open  for  navigation ;  and  as  Atherton  remarked  its 
dark  and  swelling  waves,  contrasted  with  the  glittering  wall, 
which  hemmed  it  in  on  either  side,  his  attention  was  attracted 
by  a  vessel  rapidly  approaching  the  shore,  and  its- white  sails 
fluttering  in  the  clear  moon-light.  It  proved  a  small  bark 
scarcely  larger  than  a  fishing  smack  ;  but  Atherton  remained 
till  it  came  to  anchor,  hoping  it  was  from  Plymouth,  and 
would  bring  him  intelligence  from  his  friends.  Several  per- 
sons, attracted  by  the  same  object,  were  collected  on  the  shore, 
and  Atherton,  apart  from  them,  continued  to  pace  the  beach 
till  he  discovered  it  was  only  a  trading  pinnace  from  Cape 
Cod  ;  and  feeling  no  further  interest  he  returned  disappointed 
to  the  inn. 

He  had,  however,  scarcely  taken  possession  of  his  solitary 
apartment  when  an  unusual  bustle  below  announced  the  ar- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  297 

rival  of  new  guests  ;  and  presently  the  voice  of  Dame  Cole 
was  heard  ascending  the  stairs,  in  conversation  with  some 
persons  whom  she  seemed  conducting  to  their  rooms.  Ather- 
ton's  door  stood  ajar  and  as  the  bustling  landlady  passed  by 
with  the  strangers,  he  was  rather  surprised  to  observe  two  fe- 
males ;  but  they  were  so  closely  enveloped  in  their  cloaks  and 
hoods,  that  neither  their  faces  nor  figures  were  discernible. 

'  I  am  afraid,  Mistress,  that  our  poor  rooms  will  not  be  to 
your  liking,'  said  Dame  Cole,  in  her  softest  tone  and  most 
complaisant  manner,  '  seeing  that  my  best  chamber  is  already 
taken  up  by  a  hopeful  young  gentleman  who  has  been  our 
lodger,  it  is  now  almost  five  weeks,  and  I  may  well  say,  as 
orderly  and  generous  a  youth  as  one  could  meet  with — though 
they  do  tell  me  he  is  a  prelatist — the  more's  the  pity,  poor 
young  man.' 

Atherton  had  retreated  from  the  door,  and  did  not  hear  the 
reply  to  this  eulogium  ;  to  which  the  dame  again  answered, — 

'  It  doth  not  become  me  to  boast,  although  I  may  say,  I  en- 
deavor to  do  all  things  "  decently  and  in  order,"  as  is  com- 
manded ;  nevertheless,  this  apartment  lacks  many  conven- 
iences which  appertain  unto  that  of  Major  Atherton.' 

'  Major  Atherton  !'  repeated  one  of  the  females  in  a  tone  of 
surprise,  and  with  a  tremulous  voice  which  thrilled  to  the 
heart  of  Atherton,  and  which  he  believed  it  impossible  to 
mistake. 

'  Can  it  be  ?'  he  mentally  exclaimed — 'is  Miriam  Grey  in 
reality  so  near  me  ?  surely  no  other  voice  has  that  sweetness, 
that  indescribable  charm  !' 

Jn  the  first  impulse  of  delight  and  astonishment,  he  was  on 
the  point  of  rushing  from  the  room  to  satisfy  his  doubts ;  but 
the  recollection  of  their  last  interview  checked  his  eagerness, 
and  a  moment  of  reflection  convinced  him  that  a  mistake  was 
possible  ;  indeed  her  arrival  in  Boston  was  so  unexpected,  so 


298  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

improbable,  that  he  concluded  with  a  sigh,  he  had  been  de- 
ceived by  his  hopes,  and  that  there  might  be  another  voice  in 
New  England,  which  possessed  the  exquisite  melody  of  hers. 
Still  he  continued  to  traverse  his  apartment  for  some  time  in 
a  state  of  strong  excitement,  often  stopping  to  listen,  with  al- 
most agitated  interest  to  the  low  murmur  of  voices  which  pro- 
ceeded from  the  adjoining  apartment.  At  length,  ashamed  of 
his  emotion,  and  resolved  to  shake  it  off,  he  hastily  descended 
to  the  public  rooms  to  seek  further  information  respecting  the 
vessel,  and  particularly  the  passengers  it  had  brought.  In  a 
small  room,  where  his  meals  were  usually  served  up,  he  ob- 
served a  table  neatly  prepared  for  supper  ;  and,  in  the  act  of 
warming  himself  by  the  fire,  a  young  man  of  respectable  ap- 
pearance, whose  figure  was  familiar  to  him.  Atherton  paus- 
ed a  moment  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  his  features,  which  were 
then  turned  from  him.  The  first  view  satisfied  all  his  doubts, 
and  the  well  remembered  countenance  of  Henry  Weldon  con- 
vinced him  that  he  had  not  been  mistaken  in  his  former  con- 
jectures. 

'  Mr.  Weldon,'  exclaimed  Atherton,  '  is  it  possible  that  1 
see  you  in  this  place  ? ' 

'  You  may  well  be  surprised,  Major  Atherton,'  said  Mr. Wel- 
don, cordially  receiving  his  offered  hand  ;  '  when  we  last  part- 
ed I  had  little  thought  of  following  you  so  soon,  from  our  com- 
fortable abode  at  Plymouth.' 

'  You  are  not  alone  I  think,'  returned  Atherton  ;  '  I  could 
not  be  mistaken,  when  I  just  now  saw  Mrs.  Weldon  and  her 
cousin,  though  I  then  almost  persuaded  myself  that  my  senses 
were  deceived.' 

'  They  insisted  on  accompanying  me,'  replied  Mr.  Wel- 
don, '  and  though  most  happy  to  be  thus  attended,  I  would 
fain,  for  their  sakes,  have  gone  forth  alone,  and  spared 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  299 

them  the  hardships  we  may  encounter,  at  this  inclement  sea- 
son. 

'  Whither  are  you  going?'  asked  Atherton,  'and  what 
could  induce  you, — what  could  tempt  your  more  delicate  com- 
panions, to  forsake  the  comforts  of  home,  in  the  midst  of  a 
severe  and  frozen  winter  ?  ' 

'  My  home,'  replied  Mr.  Weldon,  '  is  far  from  hence,  and 
Providence  has  called  me  to  forsake  my  plans  of  ease,  and  at- 
tend to  my  worldly  estate.  Mrs.  Weldon's  affectionate  solic- 
itude will  not  permit  her  to  remain  behind,  and  Miriam  has 
generously  resolved  to  share  our  fortunes,  at  least  till  her  fa- 
ther returns  to  claim  her.' 

'  And  does  Miriam  Grey  go  with  you  to  that  savage  wil- 
derness ?'  said  Atherton.  But  fearful  of  betraying  his  feel- 
ings, he  suddenly  stopped  and  leaning  his  head  upon  his  hand, 
remained  silent. 

'  Such  is  her  intention,'  replied  Mr.  Weldon,  without  ap- 
pearing to  notice  his  emotion  ;  '  but  it  would  take  long  to  re- 
late the  causes  by  which  we  are  actuated,  and  you  will  excuse 
me  for  the  present,  as  supper  is  now  ready,  and  we  are  fa- 
tigued and  hungry  voyagers — and  here  come  my  wife  and 
cousin  to  seek  for  refreshments.' 

Major  Atherton  raised  his  head,  and  beheld  Mrs.  Weldon 
with  Miriam  Grey  leaning  on  her  arm,  at  that  moment  enter- 
ing the  apartment. 


300  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

To  lands  where  foot  hath  seldom  been, 

Were  it  our  fate  to  roam, 
Still  'tis  the  heart  that  gilds  the  scene, 

The  heart  that  forms  the  home. 

ANONYMOUS. 

As  soon  as  Major  Atherton  left  the  house  of  Mr.  Grey,  on 
the  evening  previous  to  his  departure  from  Plymouth, — Miri- 
am, who  had  exerted  a  surprising  command  over  her  feelings 
during  their  interview,  found  herself  unable  longer  to  sustain 
her  firmness,  and  as  the  door  closed  after  him,  and  she  felt 
that  he  was  leaving  her  probably  for  the  last  time,  she  yield- 
ed to  her  emotions,  and  leaning  her  head  on  Mrs.  Weldon's 
shoulder,  wept  for  a  few  moments  without  restraint.  Mrs. 
Weldon  forbore  to  interrupt  or  question  her ;  she  could  not 
mistake  the  cause  of  her  unusual  excitement,  and  the  appear- 
^ance  and  conduct  of  Atherton  convinced  her,  that  their  recent 
conference  had  not  terminated  favorably  to  his  wishes.  Mir- 
iam first  broke  the  silence,  and  raising  her  blushing  face,  she 
said  in  an  earnest  but  unsteady  voice, — 

'  Forgive  my  folly,  dearest  Lois,  and  believe  that  I  have 
not  intentionally  deceived  you.' 

'  I  am  most  ready  to  believe  it,'  returned  Mrs.  Weldon,  '  and 
you  will  now  allow,  Miriam,  that  I  was  better  acquainted 
with  your  heart,  than  you  were  yourself.' 

'  I  was  indeed  loth  to  think  it  so  very  weak,'  replied  Miri- 
am ;  'but  this  painful  interview  has  opened  my  eyes,  and  I 
thank  God,  that  I  have  had  strength  to  sacrifice  my  inclina- 
tion to  principle  and  duty.' 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  301 

'  You  have  done  well,  my  dear  Miriam,  and  the  peace  of 
your  own  conscience  and  your  father's  approbation,  will  am- 
ply compensate  for  your  present  unhappiness,  and  soon,  I  trust, 
restore  your  wonted  serenity.' 

'  I  could  endure  every  thing  with  cheerfulness,  were  foless 
miserable,'  replied  Miriam, — and  the  tears  again  filled  her 
eyes, — '  but  I  can  never  cease  to  reproach  myself  for  encour- 
aging hopes,  however  inadvertently,  which  I  have  in  an  in- 
stant crushed,  and  without  daring  to  offer  one  soothing  word, 
or  even  leaving  him  the  consolation  of  knowing  that  the  pain 
was  mutual.' 

'  Do  not  dwell  on  these  gloomy  images,  my  dear  Miriam  ; 
sincerely  as  Major  Atherton  loves  you,  believe  me  his  affec- 
tion is  not  unconquerable ;  men  are  less  tenacious  in  their  at- 
tachments than  our  sex,  and  their  intercourse  with  the  world, 
their  more  active  sources  of  amusement,  soon  wean  their 
thoughts  from  one  object,  and  leave  them  no  leisure  to  indulge 
in  melancholy  regrets.' 

Miriam  remained  silent,  probably  unconvinced  or  unwilling 
to  admit  the  justice  of  her  cousin's  assertion;  which  as  it  re- 
garded Atherton,  would  perhaps  have  occasioned  inquietude 
rather  than  consolation  ;  for  few  women  wish  to  regain  their 
tranquillity  at  the  expense  of  losing  the  affection  of  the  man 
they  love,  even  if  convinced  their  attachment  can  never 
lead  to  a  more  permanent  union.  Approaching  footsteps 
were  at  that  moment  heard,  and  Miriam,  hastily  rising, 
said, — 

'  Do  not  betray  my  weakness,  even  to  your  husband,  dear 
Lois,'  and  hurried  to  her  own  apartment. 

Major  Atherton's  unexpected  departure  from  Plymouth  on 
the  following  morning  occasioned  much  surprise  and  conjec- 
ture  among   the  inhabitants,   and  subjected  Miriam  Grey  to 
many   embarrassing  enquiries.      Mistress    Kebecca  Spindle, 
26 


302  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

who  possessed  a  large  share  of  the  curiosity  natural  to  her 
sex  and  condition,  proved  particularly  annoying;  she  found  it 
convenient  to  pay  an  early  visit  to  Mrs.  Weldon,  and  through 
the  confusion  of  Miriam,  when  Atherton  and  the  cause  of  his 
absence  were  alluded  to,  she  detected  enough  of  the  truth 
combined  with  her  own  conjectures,  to  satisfy  the  inquisitive 
'disposition  of  all  the  gossips  in  the  village. 

Mr.  Calvert,  who  had  long  considered  Atherton  as  a  formi- 
dable rival,  was  delighted  by  his  abrupt  departure,  which  he 
doubted  not  was  occasioned  by  the  refusal  of  Miriam  ;  and 
from  that  supposition,  he  drew  the  most  favorable  inferences 
in  regard  to  his  own  prospects.  He  found  her  as  cheerful,  and 
apparently  happy  as  usual ;  for  in  society  at  least,  she  suc- 
cessfully rallied  her  spirits,  and  appeared  with  her  accustomed 
gayety.  Her  manner  towards  him,  was  frank  and  unreserved 
as  it  had  ever  been  ;  and  encouraged  by  his  hopes,  he  ventur- 
ed to  disclose  the  passion  with  which  she  had  inspired  him, 
and  to  solicit  a  return.  Miriam  listened  to  him  with  surprise, 
but  without  any  flattering  emotion ;  she  had  always  found 
him  an  agreeable  companion,  and  believed  him  worthy  of  her 
esteem  ;  but  even  had  her  heart  been  entirely  free,  he  could 
never  have  been  the  man  whom  she  would  have  selected  for 
her  husband.  Feeling  no  partiality  for  him,  she  had 
scarcely  suspected  that  his  regard  exceeded  the  limits  of 
friendly  interest ;  and  indeed  he  had  considered  it  politic  to 
conceal  its  extent,  particularly  while  under  her  father's  eye, — 
believing  his  handsome  person  and  insinuating  address  would 
make  a  due  impression  on  her,  whenever  he  thought  proper 
to  reveal  his  sentiments.  The  gentle  but  decided  refusal  of 
Miriam,  perplexed  him,  and  he  endeavored  to  win  a  more  fa- 
vorable answer,  by  exerting  all  the  persuasive  eloquence  he 
could  command.  Finding  her  inflexible  he  tried  the  force  of 
"argument;  her  objections  to  his  religion,  his  country,  her  fa- 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  303 

ther's  disapprobation,  her  own  indifference,  he  at  first  consid- 
ered merely  as  the  capricious  whims  of  a  pretty  woman,  who 
wished  to  be  flattered  into  compliance;  but  he  at  length  be- 
came irritated  by  her  continued  firmness,  and  gave  way  to  the 
bitterness  of  his  disappointment  in  the  most  violent  reproach- 
es. The  feelings  of  Miriam  were  deeply  wounded  by  his  lan- 
guage, which  was  equally  unmerited  and  unexpected,  and  be- 
trayed an  absence  of  principle  and  delicacy  that  shocked  and 
surprised  her.  Without  deigning  to  repel  his  accusations  or 
to  enter  into  controversy  with  him,  she  retired  from  his  pre- 
sence with  an  air  of  dignity,  which  for  a  moment  awed  him, 
and  prevented  his  endeavoring  to  detain  her.  Yet  his  pride, 
as  much  perhaps  as  his  affection,  was  piqued,  and  he  made 
repeated  attempts  to  be  admitted  to  another  interview.  But 
Miriam  steadily  refused  his  request,  and  he  resorted  to  the 
expedient  of  interesting  Mrs.  Weldon  in  his  behalf.  She, 
however,  declined  all  interference,  believing  Miriam  possess- 
ed of  prudence  sufficient  to  direct  herself,  and  in  reality  not 
at  all  inclined  to  favor  the  addresses  of  a  man,  whose  religious 
principles  were  alone  an  insurmountable  objection.  Asa 
dernier  resource,  Mr.  Calvert  addressed  a  letter  to  Miriam, 
filled  with  humble  acknowledgments  and  passionate  pro- 
fessions, entreating  her  to  receive  him  at  least  on  probation, 
and  allow  him  to  hope  that  he  might  even  at  a  distant  pe- 
riod, regain  her  good  opinion,  if  he  could  not  obtain  her  af- 
feciions. 

Miriam  returned  him  the  letter  briefly  expressing  on  the  en- 
velope her  continued  wishes  for  his  prosperity  and  happiness, 
but  declining  any  further  intercourse  with  him.  Calvert's 
mortification  was  excessive  and  he  would  have  quitted  Plym- 
outh, without  delay,  but  his  vessel  was  yet  unprepared  for 
the  voyage  ;  and  in  the  mean  while  he  availed  himself  of  an 
oft-repeated  invitation  from  Captain  Standish  to  pass  some 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

time  at  his  house,  happy  to  remove  from  the  immediate  scene 
of  his  disappointment. 

Soon  after  these  events,  Mr.  Weldon  received  intelligence 
from  the  new  colony  of  Hartford,  which  excited  the  utmost 
alarm  and  anxiety.  He  had  invested  his  whole  property  in  a 
plantation  at  that  place,  and  with  the  laborious  care  attendant 
on  the  first  attempts  at  cultivating  a  wilderness,  had  prepared 
a  suitable  place  for  a  garden,  and  cleared  several  acres  of 
land  ready  to  receive  the  seed,  early  in  the  ensuing  spring. 
He  had  also  built  a  comfortable  dwelling-house,  which,  with 
his  cattle  and  implements  of  husbandry  he  left  with  a  trusty 
agent,  intending  to  pass  the  winter  at  Plymouth  from  whence 
he  felt  reluctant  to  remove  his  wife  at  that  inauspicious  sea- 
son. 

But  the  Pequod  Indians,  a  fierce  and  warlike  tribe,  inhab- 
iting the  country  near  the  mouth  of  Connecticut  river,  began 
to  spread  terror  among  the  scattered  settlements  in  their  vicin- 
ity ;  and  every  man  was  obliged  to  use  the  utmost  vigilance 
to  secure  himself,  his  family  and  property  from  their  depreda- 
tions. They  often  penetrated  to  the  abodes  of  the  white  peo- 
ple, lay  in  ambush  for  the  solitary  and  unsuspicious,  and  if 
opportunity  offered,  burned  houses  and  destroyed  every  thing 
within  their  reach.  Their  enmity  to  the  English  was  invet- 
erate and  unceasing  ;  they  inhumanly  murdered  in  cold  blood, 
even  innocent  children  and  defenceless  women  ;  and  their  un- 
fortunate captives  were  subjected  to  the  most  cruel  tortures. 
At  that  lime  three  towns  only  were  settled  within  the  limits  of 
Connecticut ;  the  whole  of  which  did  not  contain  more  than 
two  hundred  and  fifty  men  capable  of  bearing  arms,  and  sur- 
rounded as  they  were  by  savage  enemies,  their  situation  be- 
came perilous  in  the  extreme. 

Mr.  Weldon  received  a  detail  of  these  particulars  in  a  let- 
ter from  Hartford,  and  he  was  sensible  that  his  absence  at  such 


PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  305 

a  time  would  place  his  \vorldlyconcerns  in  hazard,  and  that  it 
might  subject  him  to  the  reproach  of  cowardice  to  remain  in 
security,  and  at  a  distance,  when  every  man  was  girding  on. 
his  armor  to  repel  a  barbarous  enemy.  He  had  assisted  in 
establishing  the  church  and  colony  at  that  place,  and  deeply 
interested  in  their  existence  and  prosperity,  he  resolved  at 
whatever  cost,  to  return  and  share  the  perils  of  his  fellow  citi- 
zens. Mrs.  Weldon  at  once  determined  to  follow  her  hus- 
band, wherever  his  duty  called  him,  nor  were  any  entreaties, 
or  the  prospect  of  any  dangers,  able  to  shake  her  resolution. 
Indeed  she  suffered  far  less  anxiety  for  herself  than  he 
had  experienced  on  her  account;  she  was  naturally  of  a  cheer- 
ful disposition,  and  had  acquired  an  habitual  self-command, 
which  enabled  her  to  meet  every  exigence  with  firmness, 
every  misfortune  with  resignation.  With  a  constant  reliance 
on  divine  protection,  and  the  most  devoted  affection  for  her 
husband,  she  was  ready  to  undertake  any  enterprise  which 
circumstances  rendered  expedient. 

But  the  situation  of  Miriam  Grey  occasioned  Mrs.  Weldon 
much  perplexity  and  deliberation.  She  was  unwilling  to  leave 
her  during  her  father's  absence,  and  particularly  while  the  gay- 
ety  of  her  spirits  were  clouded  by  recent  disappointment,  which 
all  her  endeavors  could  not  conceal  from  the  solicitous  affection 
of  her  cousin.  Major  Atherton's  name  had  not  passed  the 
lips  of  either  since  the  evening  he  had  quitted  them.  Miriam 
engaged  in  her  daily  employments  with  as  much  apparent  in- 
terest as  usual ;  but  her  sportive  smile  was  often  checked  by 
a  sigh;  and  a  casual  allusion  or  sudden  remembrance,  some- 
times filled  her  eyes  with  tears,  even  in  the  moment  of  minh  ; 
while  imperceptible  to  any  but  the  watchful  eye  of  Lois, 
her  countenance  seemed  gradually  losing  the  brilliant  bloom 
of  health  and  happiness. 

Mrs.  Weldon  was  too  delicate  to  mention  her  fears  even  to 
26* 


30G  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

her  husband  ;  and  therefore  left  entirely  to  the  counsel  of  her 
own  judgment,  she  determined  to  be  guided  in  a  great  meas- 
ure by  the  wishes  of  Miriam.  The  Governor  and  Mrs.  Wins- 
low  earnestly  desired  Miriam  to  remain  with  them  until  her 
father's  return  ;  but  though  gratified  by  their  kindness  and 
attention,  she  declined  their  request,  and  solicited  permission 
to  accompany  Lois,  to  share  her  fortunes,  and  still  enjoy  the 
solace  of  her  society  and  friendship.  Nothing  could  have 
been  more  grateful  to  Mrs.  Weldon's  feelings  than  such  a  pro- 
posal ;  but  fearful  that  it  would  not  meet  the  approbation  of 
Mr.  Grey,  and  might  endanger  Miriam's  safety,  she  gener- 
ously endeavored  to  dissuade  her  from  her  purpose  by  repre- 
senting all  the  evils  to  which  she  would  be  exposed,  and  her 
father's  unhappiness,  should  any  misfortune  befall  her.  But 
Miriam  opposed  arguments  and  entreaties  to  her  cousin's  ob- 
jections, and  was  so  decided  in  the  belief  that  her  father  would 
approve  her  conduct,  and  that  she  acted  consistently  with 
duty,  as  well  as  inclination,  that  Mrs.  Weldon  considered  fur- 
ther discussion  useless,  and  with  mingled  pleasure  and  appre- 
hension, consented  to  admit  her  as  the  companion  of  her  haz- 
ardous enterprise. 

Miriam  Grey  commenced  the  preparations  for  her  expected 
departure  with  an  alacrity  which  surprised  her  friends,  who 
considered  an  expedition  to  that  distant  part  of  the  country, 
at  any  time,  and  especially  ia  a  season  of  public  alarm,  as  too 
dangerous  to  be  undertaken,  except  in  cases  of  urgent  neces- 
sity. 

But  Miriam  did  not  allow  herself  to  indulge  imaginary 
fears,  or  even  to  dwell  on  such  as  wore  an  appearance  of  re- 
ality;  once  resolved,  she  was  unwavering,  and  those  most  in- 
terested in  her  happiness,  while  they  regretted,  ceased  to  op- 
pose her  design.  Captain  Standish  was  the  most  persevering 
of  her  opponents  ;  but,  like  all  others,  he  was  finally  obliged 


PEEP     AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  307 

to  yield  to  her  fixed  determination,  though  so  highly  irritated 
at  his  defeat,  that  it  is  said  he  gave  vent  to  an  almost  forgot- 
ten Dutch  oath,  which  had  served  him  when  fighting  for 
queen  Elizabeth  in  the  Low-Countries, — and  which,  if  whis- 
pered among  his  puritan  brethren,  was  probably  overlooked  on 
account  of  his  important  services. 

1  These  confounded  women, 'he  said  to  Calvert,  still  a  guest 
at  his  house,  '  are  as  wrong-headed  and  obstinate  as  mules  ; 
but  who  could  have  thought  my  little  rose-bud,  with  all  her 
sweetness  and  smiles,  would  set  up  for  a  will  of  her  own.' 

'  The  fairest  and  best  of  them  have  a  bit  of  the  old  serpent 
in  their  hearts;  '  answered  Calvert,  with  a  bitter  smile. 

'No,  no,  you  are  wrong,  Calvert, 'replied  the  Captain, '  their 
hearts  would  be  well  enough,  and  it  were  not  for  their  light 
heads  and  fickle  minds  which  are  always  leading  them  into 
error,  and  turning  them  aside  in  search  of  novelty.  But  I  do 
believe,' he  added  to  himself,  rather  than  to  his  companion, 
c  my  poor  Miriam  has  lost  her  senses,  gone  mad  outright, — 
to  turn  off  my  cousin  Atherton,  as  handson  e  and  gallant  a 
young  fellow  as  ever  sued  for  maiden's  favor,  or  drew  sword 
against  the  king's  enemies, — and  now  to  leave  friends  and 
home,  and  throw  herself  into  the  very  jaws  of  these  ravenous, 
heathenish  savages.' 

As  Captain  Standish  paced  the  room  with  hurried  steps, 
and  thus  yielded  to  his  anger  and  regret,  he  quite  forgot  in 
the  excitement  of  his  feelings,  the  caution  he  had  hitherto 
used  in  regard  to  the  disappointment  of  Major  Atherton,  which 
the  art  of  Calvert  had  not  been  able  to  extort  from  him  ;  but 
to  which  he  now  listened  with  extreme  pleasure,  feeling  his 
own  mortification  diminished  by  the  conviction  that  it  was 
shared  by  his  rival. 

Mr.  Weldon  in  the  mean  time,  resolved  to  take  passage  in 
a  small  vessel  which  had  put  into  Plymouth  on  its  way  from 


308  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

Cape  Cod  to  Boston ;  being  informed  that  a  vessel  was  then 
]ading  with  provisions  at  the  latter  place  for  the  ill-supplied 
colonists  at  Connecticut,  in  which  they  would  embark  for  the 
place  of  their  destination. 

But  as  the  time  of  their  departure  drew  near,  Benjamin 
Ashly  who  had  certanly  said  less,  and  probably  thought  more 
on  the  subject  than  any  other  person,  became  tormented  by 
his  apprehensions,  and  excited  by  a  thousand  wild  hopes  and 
inconsistent  plans.  The  coldness  of  Miriam,  her  occasional 
raillery  and  suspected  preference  for  another,  had  not  dimin- 
ished his  affection  for  her,  and  if  he  sometimes  doubted  of  suc- 
cess, hope  was  never  entirely  banished  from  his  breast.  His 
disposition  was  rather  reserved  than  phlegmatic ;  he  had 
loved  her  from  childhood,  his  attachment  had  increased  with 
his  years,  and  was  decidedly  encouraged  by  the  friends  of 
both.  The  world,  which  always  takes  the  liberty  of  inter- 
fering in  such  affairs,  had  early  declared  in  consonance  with 
the  young  man's  wishes,  that  it  would  be  a  match  ;  and  more 
than  once  had  Master  Ashly  been  on  the  point  of  ascertaining 
from  the  lips  of  the  damsel,  if  the  said  world  prophesied  truly. 
But  at  the  fated  moment  of  disclosure,  a  feeling  of  uncon- 
querable timidity,  or  an  arch  smile  lurking  on  the  countenance 
of  the  fair  one,  invariably  called  forth  his  awkward  bashful- 
ness  and  completely  overawed  him.  Thus  years  passed  on  in 
a  state  of  uncertainty,  till  at  length  the  assiduities  of  Major 
Atherton  and  Mr.  Calvert  aroused  his  most  anxious  fears,  and 
caused  him  bitterly  to  repent  the  irresolution  which  had  so 
long  held  him  in  ignorance  of  his  fate.  The  sudden  removal 
of  these  formidable  rivals,  however,  with  the  inference  natu- 
rally drawn  from  it,  relieved  his  mind  of  an  oppressive  weight; 
and  again  finding  the  field  his  own,  like  many  other  indolent 
and  undecided  persons,  he  concluded  to  enjoy  his  leisure  and 
wait  a  favorable  opportunity  to  decide  the  combat.  His  mother 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  309 

in  vain  entreated  him  to  secure  the  prize,  while  there  was  no 
opponent  to  dispute  it  with  him;  for  she  earnestly  desired  the 
marriage  might  take  place,  though  sometimes  piqued  to  ob- 
serve the  gayety  of  Miriam  rather  increased  by  the  presence 
of  her  son  ;  and  inclined  to  think  her  strangely  deficient  in 
judgment  to  withhold  her  regard  from  so  worthy  an  object. 
But  a  strong  belief  which  she  entertained  in  common  with 
many  other  superficial  observers,  that  young  women  are  not 
apt  to  be  sincere  in  affairs  of  the  heart,  and  that  they  gener- 
ally possess  the  art  of  vailing  their  real  sentiments,  or  affect- 
ing false  ones,  to  suit  their  caprice  or  designs, — still  led  her 
to  hope  for  the  best ;  and  after  all,  she  could  not  think  that 
Miriam  Grey, — giddy  as  the  young  thing  sometimes  seemed, — 
would  really  be  so  foolish  as  to  refuse  her  son,  who  was  born 
to  a  good  inheritance,  and  withal  esteemed  comely  and  well- 
favored. 

When  Benjamin  Ashly  however  found  that  Miriam  was  ac- 
tually on  the  point  of  leaving  Plymouth,  he  became  embold- 
ened by  fears  for  her  safety,  and  the  dread  of  losing  her ;  and 
resolved,  if  possible,  to  dissuade  her  from  prosecuting  her  haz- 
ardous voyage,  Yet  his  resolution  was  more  than  once  frus- 
trated by  some  trifling  interruption,  or  his  habitual  timidity, 
when  fortune  at  last  presented  him  with  an  opportunity  too 
favorable  to  be  neglected.  He  one  day  entered  the  setting 
parlor  at  Mr.  Grey's,  where  Miriam  chanced  to  be  entirely 
alone,  and  busily  engaged  with  her  needle.  She  received 
him  with  her  usual  courtesy,  and  after  a  few  trifling  ques- 
tions, resumed  her  occupation  and  with  it  the  train  of  reflec- 
tions which  his  entrance  had  interrupted.  Ashly  improved 
the  silence  in  framing  a  suitable  prologue  to  his  intended  dec- 
laration ;  and  to  prepare  the  way,  he  began  with  three  distinct 
hems,  which  startled  Miriam,  who  had  almost  forgotten  his 
presence,  and  looking  up  to  repair  her  error,  she  first  observed 


310  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

the  ominous  length  of  his  countenance,  and  the  unnatural  flush 
which  agitated  it.  His  eyes  were  fixed  on  her  with  an  ex- 
pression of  anxiety,  not  to  say  alarm,  mingled  with  tenderness, 
but  which,  as  she  did  not  perfectly  comprehend  their  mean- 
ing, struck  her  as  rather  ludicrous,  and  an  involuntary  smile 
overspread  her  features.  Benjamin  Ashly  somewhat  abashed, 
cast  his  eyes  upon  the  floor — the  ceiling — and  finally  they 
rested  on  a  looking-glass ;  and  as  Miriam  had  diligently  re- 
newed her  employment,  he  improved  the  moment  to  arrange 
the  knot  of  his  neck-kerchief,  and  smooth  his  short  brown 
hair, — for  the  best  of  people  love  to  look  well,  particularly  at 
such  critical  times,  when  a  lady's  favor  is  often  decided  by 
trifles.  Miriam  was  revolving  in  her  mind  on  what  subject 
to  address  him, — for  as  if  it  was  a  matter  of  the  utmost  im- 
portance, she  could  not  at  the  moment,  think  of  any  thing  to 
say, — when  Ashly  prevented  her  any  farther  trouble,  by  cross- 
ing the  room  with  the  utmost  gravity,  and  seating  himself 
close  beside  her.  After  a  brief  pause  he  said  to  her, — 

'  You  are  about  to  leave  us,  Miriam,  and  to  sojourn  amidst 
the  perils  of  a  wilderness.' 

'  You  should  not  speak  to  me  of  perils,'  said  Miriam,  smil- 
ing, 'rather  be  so  benevolent  as  to  encourage  me  with  the 
hope  of  better  things.' 

'I  would  fain,'  said  Ashly,  'by  exciting  your  alarm, prevail 
on  you  to  alter  a  determination,  which  has  caused  so  much 
grief  and  anxiety  to  your  friends.' 

'  Your  purpose  is  vain,'  replied  Miriam  ;  '  I  have  already 
"  counted  the  cost,"  and  am  resolved  to  abide  by  the  conse- 
quences.' 

'  Dear  Miriam,'  returned  Ashly,  gaining  courage  as  he  pro- 
ceeded, 'will  nothing  prevail  with  you  ?  will  you  indeed  leave 
all  the  comforts  and  delights  of  life,  to  dwell  in  a  far  country, 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  311 

even  among  the  tents  of  the  wandering  savages,  whose  hands 
are  against  every  man  ?  ' 

'  1  have  no  fears  for  my  safety,'  returned  Miriam  ;  '  and  if  I 
had,  it  would  be  my  duty  to  conquer  them,  for  the  sake  of  my 
cousin  Lois,  whose  unvarying  kindness  to  me  from  infancy, 
deserves  this  slight  return  of  grateful  attention.' 

'  Before  you  decide,'  replied  Ashly,  '  consider,  I  entreat 
you,—' 

'  I  am  already  decided,'  interrupted  Miriam,  a  little  impa- 
tient at  his  persecution  ;  '  so  I  pray  you,  Master  Ashly,  give  up 
the  subject,  and  suffer  me  to  follow  my  inclination  in  peace.' 

'  May  the  Lord  be  with  you,  and  prosper  you  ; '  said  Ashly, 
emphatically  ;  but  after  a  moment's  pause,  he  ventured  to  add, 
'  Miriam  Grey,  your  father  hath  sometimes  encouraged  me  to 
open  my  heart  unto  you,  and  I  would  now  urge  a  request 
which  nearly  concerns  my  happiness.' 

'  Be  brief  then,  if  it  please  you  ;  for  time  is  pressing,  and 
I  have  many  engagements,'  replied  Miriam,  hoping  by  an 
air  of  indifference  again  to  avert  an  avowal  which  she 
dreaded. 

But  Mr.  Ashly  had  apparently  nerved  himself  for  the 
undertaking  ;  and  though  trembling  like  an  aspen  leaf,  he  re- 
plied,— 

'  Miriam,  I  have  long  loved  you,  with  a  love  passing  that 
of  women  ;  and  even  as  the  patriarch  Jacob  served  seven 
years  for  the  daughter  of  Laban,  so  have  I  waited  patiently 
to  obtain  your  favor,  and  it  hath  seemed  unto  me  but  a  few 
days.' 

'  This  is  some  new  plan,  to  divert  me  from  my  pur- 
pose,' said  Miriam,  in  confusion;  '  but  it  is  as  vain  as  every 
other.  I  have  put  my  hand  to  the  plough,  and  I  cannot  look 
back.' 

1  You  do  not  understand  me,  Miriam,'  replied    Ashly.     '  I 


312  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

would  no  longer  seek  to  detain  you  here  ;  but  I  pray  you,  if 
I  have  found  favor  in  your  eyes,  suffer  me  to  go  with 
you  ;  as  your  husband,  I  would  cheerfully  toil  for  you,  nay, 
I  would  hazard  my  life  to  preserve  you  from  danger  or  dis- 
tress.' 

'  Would  you,'  asked  Miriam, '  leave  your  widowed  mother, 
who  doats  on  you,  and  her  children,  who  look  up  to  you  for 
guidance  and  protection,  to  gratify  this  vain  and  unprofitable 
desire  ?  ' 

'  Yes,  I  would  quit  every  thing,'  replied  Ashly,  his  features 
glowing  with  hope,  and  for  once  yielding  to  the  excitement  of 
his  feelings.  '  Entreat  me  not  to  leave  thee,  nor  to  return  from 
following  after  thee;  for  whither  thou  goest  I  will  go,  and 
where  thou  diest,  there  will  I  be  buried  ? ' 

'  Say  not  so,'  replied  Miriam,  affected  by  the  earnestness  of 
his  appeal ;  and  after  a  moment  of  painful  hesitation,  she  ad- 
ded, '  I  should  be  unworthy  of  your  regard  were  I  capable  of 
misleading  you  by  any  false  expectations.  I  have  never 
sought  to  deceive  you,  Benjamin,  but  on  the  contrary,  have 
always  discouraged  the  preference  which  you  early  professed 
for  me,  and  which  has  long  been  sanctioned  by  our  friends ; 
circumstances  have  brought  us  much  together,  and  this  famil- 
iar intercourse  has  discovered  to  me  the  integrity  of  your 
character,  and  interested  me  in  your  happiness  ;  but  forgive 
my  frankness,  Ashly;  I  must  add,  our  destinies  can  never  be 
united;  believe  me  still  your  friend,  and  may  the  affection  of 
a  deserving  object  soon  lead  your  thoughts  from  one  who  can 
only  regard  you  with  esteem  and  gratitude.' 

1  Never,  never,  Miriam  Grey,'  exclaimed  Ashly  vehement- 
ly ;'  I  have  loved  you  through  life,  and  I  will  love  you,  and 
you  only,  to  the  last  hour  of  my  existence.' 

He  rose  from  his  seat  with  a  flushed  countenance,  and  cross- 
ed the  room  with  rapid  strides,  as  he  finished  speaking  ; — 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  313 

while  Miriam  remained  silent  and  embarrassed,  surprised  by 
a  display  of  feeling  so  foreign  to  his  character,  and  which 
was  probably  more  violent  from  having  been  long  repressed. 
Ashly  continued  standing  for  several  moments,  apparently 
striving  to  regain  his  usual  firmness,  which  his  habitual  self- 
control  soon  enabled  him  to  effect ;  and  when  Miriam  again 
raised  her  eyes,  every  trace  of  emotion  was  gone,  and  his  fea- 
tures had  resumed  their  customary  expression  of  calm  and 
rather  gloomy  immobility.  Nothing  could  have  been  less  be- 
coming or  more  unfavorable  to  his  suit,  than  this  sudden  re- 
turn of  composure  ;  it  instantly  relieved  the  mind  of  Miriam, 
and  convinced  her  that  he  would  not  long  suffer  under  the 
sting  of  disappointed  hope.  She  was  wondering  that  he  re- 
mained so  long  standing  and  silent,  and  endeavoring  to  frame 
some  excuse  for  quitting  the  room,  when  the  voice  of  Mrs. 
Weldon,  singing  in  a  low  tone,  was  heard  approaching  them. 
Benjamin  Ashly  started  as  if  electrified,  threw  a  hurried 
glance  at  the  door,  and  not  daring  to  trust  his  voice  in  bidding 
Miriam  farewell,  he  took  her  hand  and  held  it  for  an  instant 
in  his  own,  which  trembled  violently,  while  his  features  were 
again  strongly  agitated,  and  without  speaking,  he  precipitate- 
ly left  the  room. 

Miriam,  deeply  regretting  the  pain  she  had  unwillingly  in- 
flicted, concealed  the  object  of  his  visit  even  from  her  cousin, 
who  had,  however,  her  own  suspicions  on  the  subject,  which 
were  increa?ed  by  the  absence  of  Ashly,  who  prudently  re- 
frained from  seeing  Miriam  again.  But  three  days  after,  at 
a  distance  and  unobserved,  he  indulged  in  a  parting  glimpse, 
at  the  moment  she  was  embarking  on  her  voyage,  surrounded 
by  friends,  amongst  whom  an  embarrassing  consciousness 
and  dread  of  exposing  his  feelings,  restrained  him  from  ming- 
ling. 

The  emotions  of  Miriam  Grey  were  almost  overpowering, 
27 


314  PEEP     AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 

when  she  found  herself  actually  quitting  the  home  and  friends, 
who  had  long  been  dear  and  familiar  to  her ;  and,  for  a  time, 
she  was  tempted  to  consider  her  project  rash,  and  to  fear  she 
had  been  governed  by  feeling,  rather  than  prudence.  But  as 
the  village  of  Plymouth  became  indistinct,  and  newer  pros- 
pects opened  around  her,  her  thoughts  were  insensibly  divert- 
ed to  other  subjects,  and  her  spirits  gradually  recovered  their 
usual  buoyancy,  and  much  of  their  accustomed  gayety.  A 
brisk  wind  carried  them  forward,  and  in  less  than  the  ordina- 
ry time,  they  were  within  the  spacious  Bay  of  Massachusetts. 
As  they  entered  the  harbor  of  Boston,  Miriam  became  again 
silent  and  abstracted;  she  observed  with  restless  curiosity  the 
different  persons  who  were  collected  on  the  shore  ;  and  Mrs. 
Weldon  was  at  no  loss  to  conjecture  taht  Major  Atherton  was 
present  to  her  thoughts ;  but  in  the  imperfect  light  he  was 
not  recognized  by  either  of  them, — and  immediately  on  land- 
ing they  proceeded  to  the  public  inn. 


PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  315 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

I  must  admire  thee  more  for  so  denying, 
Than  I  had  dared  if  thou  liad'st  fondly  granted  ; 
Thou  dost  devote  thyself  to  utterest  peril, 
And  me  to  deepest  anguish ;  yet  even  now 
Thou  art  lovelier  to  me  in  thy  cold  severity, 
Flying  me,  leaving  me  without  a  joy, 
Without  a  hope  on  earth,  without  thyself; 
Thou  art  lovelier  now,  than  if  thy  yielding  soul 
Had  smiled  on  me  a  passionate  consent. 

MlLMAN. 

MIRIAM  GREY  was  in  the  act  of  speaking,  as  she  entered  the 
room,  where  the  landlady  of  the  inn  had  prepared  their  even- 
ing repast ;  but  the  words  died  on  her  lips  the  instant  she  re- 
cognized Major  Atherton,  whose  eyes  were  fixed  on  her  with 
an  expression  of  extreme  pleasure,  which  for  the  moment  ab- 
sorbed every  other  sensation.  Mrs.  Weldon,  who  did  not  at 
first  observe  him,  was  surprised  at  the  sudden  pause,  and  feel- 
ing her  cousin  lean  heavily  on  her  arm,  she  looked  round  to 
ascertain  the  cause,  and  beheld  her  pale  as  death,  and  appa- 
rently on  the  verge  of  fainting-.  But  the  emotion  of  Miriam 
was  as  transient  as  involuntary;  and  when  Atherton  sprang 
forward  to  support  her,  she  recovered  her  presence  of  mind, 
and  gently  extricating  herself  from  the  grasp  of  Lois,  stood 
erect  with  an  air  of  maidenly  pride,  and  a  countenance  glow- 
ing with  blushes.  Atherton  respected  the  delicacy  of  her 
feelings,  while  his  heart  thrilled  with  the  delightful  conscious- 
ness, that  he  possessed  an  influence  over  them ;  and  without 
appearing  to  notice  her  embarrassment,  he  merely  bowed,  and 
turning  to  Mrs.  Weldon,  said, — 

'  I  scarcely  hoped  for  the  pleasure  of  seeing  my  Plymouth 


316  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

friends  so  soon  ;  and  even  now  my  pleasure  is  mingled  with 
apprehension.' 

'  We  have  become  travelers  from  necessity,  more  than  in- 
clination,' returned  Mrs.  Weldon  ;  '  but,  if  our  voyage  contin- 
ues as  prosperous  as  it  has  been  hitherto,  we  shall  have  cause 
to  "  sing  of  mercy,"  rather  than  of  "judgment."  ' 

'  You  must  have  suffered  from  cold  and  sickness  and  fa- 
tigue,' said  Atherton  addressing  Miriam,  '  at  this  inclement 
season,  when  even  the  weather-beaten  fishermen,  gladly  re- 
treat to  the  shelter  of  their  cabins.' 

'  We  have  not  suffered  from  any  cause,'  replied  Miri- 
am ;  '  and  indeed,  our  short  voyage  has  been  in  every  respect 
more  comfortable  and  pleasant  than  we  had  any  reason  to  ex- 
pect.' 

'  But  you  do  look  ill; '  said  Atherton,  regarding  her  with 
anxiety,  and  she  was  really  much  thinner  than  when  he 
saw  her  last,  '  you  cannot,  ought  not  to  pursue  this  voy- 
age Miriam,  if,  as  Mr.  Weldon  has  intimated,  you  have  formed 
the  rash  design  of  going  to  the  savage  regions  of  Connecti- 
cut.' 

'  And  why,'  asked  Miriam  with  simplicity,  'is  it  more  rash 
in  me  than  in  my  cousin  Lois,  who  has  never  hesitated  for  a 
moment  on  its  propriety  or  necessity  ?  ' 

'  Probably,'  said  Atherton,  a  little  embarrassed  by  the  ques- 
tion, '  Mrs.  Weldon  considers  herself  bound  to  follow  her  hus- 
band, wherever  his  circumstances  lead  him  ;  and  I  should 
scarcely  venture  to  obtrude  my  opinion,  when  she  has  one  so 
much  more  capable  of  advising  her.' 

'  And  I,'  returned  Miriam,  '  have  had  many  sage  advisers, 
but  as  you  see,  have  turned  a  deaf  ear  to  them  all ;  Captain 
Standish  will  tell  you,  Major  Atherton,  that  lam  a  self-willed 
girl,  because  I  would  not  take  heed  to  his  counsels,  for 


PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  317 

which,  however,  I  am  grateful,  though  he  professes  not  to  be- 
lieve it.' 

'  You  would  warn  me  not  to  adventure  where  so  many 
have  failed,'  said  Atherton,  smiling;  'but  if  I  submit  it  will 
be  from  necessity,  not  conviction  that  my  advice  is  incor- 
rect.' 

'  Here  is  our  hostess  bringing  in  supper,  and  it  is  truly  wel- 
come ; '  said  Mr.  Weldon.  '  You  will  sit  down  with  us  I  hope, 
Major  Alherton,  though  your  appetite  is  not  like  ours,  sharp- 
end  by  sea-breezes.' 

Atherton  did  not  wait  for  the  invitation  to  be  repeated  ;  he 
seated  himself  opposite  to  Miriam,  and  the  cheerful  meal  was 
passed  in  animated  and  general  conversation.  Miriam  was 
again  all  gayety  and  smiles,  and  both  to  her  and  Atherton,  the 
past  and  future  were  unthought  of,  the  present  a  scene  of  ex- 
quisite enjoyment ;  and  when  Mrs.  Weldon  reminded  her 
cousin  that  it  was  time  to  retire,  they  separated  with  a  sigh  of 
regret,  as  if  a  \vakened  from  a  dream  of  enchantment.  Ather- 
ton remained  in  a  musing  posture  for  some  moments  after 
they  left  the  room,  till  Mr.  Weldon  rose,  and  bidding  him  good 
night,  was  about  to  follow  them,  when  Atherton  started  from 
his  seat,  and  in  an  earnest  voice  said  to  him. — 

'  Is  it  too  late,  sir,  to  dissuade  Miriam  Grey  from  her  mad 
resolution?  cannot  \ve  yet  prevail  on  her  to  renounce  it  and 
remain  here  in  safety  ?  ' 

'  Remain  with  whom  ?  '  asked  Mr.  Weldon,  rather  sarcasti- 
cally ;  but  he  instantly  continued  in  a  graver  tone,  'not  I  be- 
lieve if  there  is  stability  in  woman,  and  few  even  of  maturer 
years  possess  more  than  Miriam  ;  she  has  resisted  the  entrea- 
ties of  all  her  friends,  and  it  is  not  probable  will  now  be  in- 
duced to  abandon  her  enterprise.' 

'  Is  there  no  one  who  has  influence  enough  to  detain  her  ?  ' 
said  Atherton.  '  Surely  it  is -the  duty  of  all  who  are  interest- 
27* 


318  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

ed  in  her  happiness  to  lift  up  their  voices  against  an  under- 
taking so  replete  with  dangers.' 

She  has  listened  to  the  opinion  of  her  friends  touching  this 
matter,' returned  Mr.  Weldon  ;  'but  her  father  was  wont  to 
entrust  much  to  her  discretion,  and  no  person  in  his  absence 
has  authority  to  control  her.  For  my  own  part  I  frankly  con- 
fess my  responsibility  and  anxiety  for  her  almost  overbalance 
the  pleasure  which  her  society  gives  us.' 

'  Then,'  said  Atherton  eagerly,  '  you  will  consent  to  leave 
her,  if  any  arguments  can  succeed  in  gaining  her  acquies- 
cence.' 

'  Her  decision  has  been  voluntary,'  said  Mr.  Weldon,  '  and 
I  have  reason  to  believe  it  unalterable  ;  at  all  events,  I  am 
sure  she  would  sooner  lay  down  her  life  than  deviate  in  the 
least  from  the  straight  line  of  duty  and  principle.' 

'Far  be  it  from  me,'  replied  Atherton, '  to  offer  any  induce- 
ments inconsistent  with  the  purity  and  rectitude  of  her  mind 
and  character  ;  I  may  appear  officious  to  you,  sir,  and  perhaps 
to  her;  but  I  cannot — I  have  no  wish  to  conceal  the  deep  in- 
terest which  I  feel  in  her  welfare  and  happiness.' 

'I  am  convinced, 'said  Mr.  Weldon  after  a  moment's  pause, 
'  that  nothing  but  the  known  wishes  of  her  father  would  now 
prevail  with  Miriam  to  relinquish  her  design  ;  and  indeed  all 
circumstances  considered,  I  am  far  from  wishing  her  to  do  so. 
Tomorrow,  if  the  wind  is  favorable,  we  shall  proceed  on  our 
voyage  ;  for  we  are  now  anxious  to  reach  the  place  of  our 
destination.' 

4 1  will  not  detain  you  longer  from  your  needful  repose,' 
said  Atherton  ;  and  with  the  usual  compliments  they  separated 
for  the  night. 

Atherton  retired  to  a  small  ill-furnished  apartment — for  he 
resigned  his  own  to  the  travelers — but  with  a  mind  loo  fully 
occupied  by  painful  thoughts  and  anticipations,  to  regard  its 


PEEP    AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  319 

deficiencies  or  incongruities.  He  thought  the  tedious  night 
would  never  pass  away,  and  often  through  its  heavy  watches 
he  looked  anxiously  from  the  window,  noted  every  twinkling 
star,  and  followed  with  his  eye  the  light  clouds  which  flitted 
over  the  heavens,  hoping  they  would  collect  and  retard  the 
departure  of  Miriam  for  at  least  another  day. 

The  sun,  however,  rose  with  unwonted  brilliancy  on  the 
following  morning;  but  Atherton's  immediate  apprehensions 
were  quieted,  on  learning  that  the  wind  was  still  unfavorable 
for  a  voyage  to  the  Connecticut.  Delighted  with  this  reprieve, 
and  not  doubting  that  he  should  find  an  opportunity  of  con- 
versing alone  with  Miriam  in  the  course  of  the  day,  he  again 
yielded  to  the  illusions  of  hope,  and  joined  Mrs.  Weldon's 
breakfast  table,  with  a  countenance  from  which  every  trace  of 
sadness  was  banished.  But  Miriam,  though  cheerful  was  less 
gay  than  on  the  preceding  evening;  and  as  soon  as  the  repast 
was  finished,  she  retired  with  Mrs.  Weldon  to  their  own 
apartments.  Atherton  scarcely  saw  her  again  during  the 
day,  except  at  dinner,  and  though  more  than  once  on  the  point 
of  requesting  a  moment's  conversation  with  her,  the  dread  of 
refusal  restrained  him,  and  he  deferred  it,  still  hoping  that 
accident  would  favor  him  with  the  desired  interview.  He 
fancied  too  that  Miriam  intentionally  avoided  him;  and 
piqued  by  conduct  so  different  from  her  usual  frankness,  he 
was  again  inclined  to  accuse  her  of  caprice  and  fickleness. 
When  they  met  at  supper  Atherton  was  silent  and  abstracted  ; 
and  the  moment  they  rose  from  table  he  pleaded  an  engage- 
ment at  the  Governor's,  and  with  a  slight  apology  left  them, 
for  the  evening.  As  he  looked  back  on  closing  the  door  he 
caught  the  eye  of  Miriam  following  him,  with  an  expression 
so  soft  and  almost  tearful,  that  for  an  instant  his  resolution 
wavered  ; — but  she  turned  from  him,  and  ashamed  of  his 
weakness  he  instantly  retired,  Yet  the  parting  look  of 


320  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Miriam  still  pursued  him.  'I  am  too  hasty,  I  have  judged 
her  unkindly,'  he  thought; — and  instead  of  going  to  the  Gov- 
ernor's, after  walking  and  musing  for  about  half  an  hour  he 
returned  to  the  inn  in  the  hope  of  seeing  her. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Weldon  were  gone  out,  and  Miriam  had  ex- 
cused herself  from  accompanying  them  by  saying  she  had 
some  arrangements  to  make  for  her  voyage,  and  wished  to  re- 
tire early  to  bed.  She  was  alone  in  a  parlor  appropriated 
particularly  to  their  use,  and  looking  attentively  from  a  win- 
dow which  commanded  a  view  of  the  town  and  harbor,  when 
Atherton  returned  and  entered  the  room  ignorant  by  whom  it 
was  occupied.  It  was  yet  early  in  the  evening,  and  the 
bright  blaze  of  a  wood  fire  threw  a  glare  around  the  apart- 
ment, and  quite  eclipsed  the  feeble  light  of  a  candle  w*hich 
flickered  in  its  socket,  and  whose  long  black  wick  showed  that 
the  thoughts  of  Miriam  were  wandering  to  other  subjects. 
As  Atherton  opened  the  door  she  looked  hastily  round  to  see 
who  was  entering,  and  her  recognition  was  evinced  by  her 
heightened  complexion  as  she  again  turned  towards  the  win- 
dow and  continued  to  gaze  on  the  scene  without.  Atherton's 
resentment,  his  suspicions — all  were  forgotten  ;  and  in  an  in- 
stant he  was  by  her  side. 

'Are  you  admiring  this  winter  scenery,  Miriam?'  asked 
Atherton.  '  I  should  think  it  too  familiar,  if  not  too  dreary  to 
charm  your  eyes.' 

'  The  -most  familiar  scenes, 'replied  Miriam  with  still  averted 
face,  '  are  generally  those  which  give  us  the  greatest  pleas- 
ure ;  they  are  associated  in  our  minds  with  all  that  the  heart 
most  prizes  and  best  enjoys.' 

'  But  here,'  said  Atherton,  '  there  is  nothing  to  awaken 
such  associations  ;  you  are  in  a  strange  land,  where  there  are 
no  objects  to  remind  you  of  home  and  its  enjoyments.' 

'  Indeed   there   are    many,  very   many,'  replied    Miriam ; 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  321 

'  these  dazzling  snows,  and  that  boundless  ocean,  have  been 
familiar  to  me  from  infancy  ;  and  the  "moon  walking  in  her 
brightness  through  the  heavens,"  is  even  now  shining  on  the 
forsaken  home  of  my  childhood  ;  and  think  you  I  can  look 
upon  it  without  emotions  of  melancholy  pleasure  ?' 

'  Impossible  !'  said  Atherton,  earnestly,  '  and  never,  Mi- 
riam, have  I  gazed  upon  its  calm  beauty,  since  banished  from 
your  presence,  without  thrilling  recollections  of  those  happy 
moments,  when  with  you  I  was  wont  to  see  it  slowly  rising 
above  the  shores  of  Plymouth,  and  throwing  its  silver  light 
through  the  vine-covered  casement  where  I  was  permitted  to 
see  and  converse  with  you ; — where,  dearest  Miriam,  I  dared 
to  indulge  those  dreams  of  happiness  which  you  have  so 
cruelly  disappointed.' 

'  Speak  not  of  the  past,'  said  Miriam,  hastily,  and  with  a 
trembling  voice;  'it  is  like  a  vision  of  delight  which  has 
faded  away,  and  ought  to  be  forgotten — when  this  moon  now 
shining  in  glory,  begins  to  wane  in  her  course,  I  shall  behold 
its  parting  rays  reflected  on  the  waves  of  the  broad  Con- 
necticut.' 

'Be  it  so,' said  Atherton,  with  impassioned  energy,  'and 
there  also  will-  I  be  beside  you.  It  is  in  vain,  Miriam,  that 
you  fly  from  me,  that  you  renounce  me,  that  you  seek  to  sep- 
arate my  fate  from  yours  ;  wherever  your  path  may  lead  you, 
across  the  deep  waters,  or  through  the  trackless  desert;  in  the 
sunshine  of  prosperity,  or  beneath  the  dark  sky  of  adversity — 
there  will  I  be  with  you,  and  nought  but  death  shall  have 
power  to  disunite  us.' 

'  Why,'  asked  Miriam,  reproachfully,  '  will  you  force  me  to 
regret  that  I  have  ever  known  you  ?  why,  Atherton,  do  you 
persecute  me  with  a  love  which  I  can  never -recompense  ?' 

1  Say  that  you  despise  me,  Miriam,  that  I  am  an  object  of 
aversion  to  you,  that,  were  there  no  other  obstacle  to  our 


322  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

union,  your  indifference  would  divide  us — say  all  this,  but  do 
not  look  at  me  with  an  eye  of  pity — do  not  cheat  me  with  that 
voice  of  tenderness,  which  creates  a  thousand  hopes  at  the 
moment  it  seeks  to  annihilate  them.' 

'I  do  pity  you  from  my  heart,' said  Miriam,  almost  sub- 
dued by  emotion  ;  '  but  what  avails  it  ?  we  must  separate, 
Atherton,  and  let  not  these  parting  moments  be  embittered  by 
unavailing  regrets.' 

'  Pity  me  !'  repeated  Atherton,  '  say  that  you  love  me, 
Miriam,  that  you  will  love  me,  and  me  alone,  through  weal 
and  woe,  and  on  that  sweet  assurance  I  will  rest  my  hopes  of 
brighter  and  happier  days.' 

'  Why,'  replied  Miriam,  'should  you  wish  to  extort  from 
me  a  confession  which  ought  not  to  pass  my  lips  !  No, 
Atherton,  we  must  henceforth  learn  to  think  of  each  other  as 
voyagers,  who,  for  a  few  brief  and  smiling  days  have  floated 
together  along  the  current  of  time,  till  our  frail  barks  were 
driven  asunder,  never  perhaps  to  meet  again,  until  launched 
into  the  ocean  of  eternity.' 

' And  are  you,  Miriam,  thus  indifferent?  thus  reckless  of 
the  past,  and  careless  for  the  future  ?  does  the  memory  of  joys 
that  are  gone,  awaken  no  throb  of  tenderness  ?  and  can  you 
look  through  the  long  vista  of  coming  years — darkened  by 
disappointed  hope — without  one  sigh  of  regret  ?  then,  indeed, 
have  I  deeply,  fatally  deceived  myself.' 

'  The  wicked  only  can  be  long  and  truly  wretched,'  an- 
swered Miriam,  '  and  God  I  trust  will  give  us  grace  to  bear 
whatever  his  Providence  ordains.  If  you  truly  love  me, 
Atherton,  do  not  render  more  keen  the  misery  of  this  parting 
hour.  1  have  left  the  friends  of  my  childhood  and  youth,  and 
forsaken  the  home  of  my  father — I  have  looked  with  an  un- 
daunted eye  on  the  perils  which  may  encompass  me  whither 
I  am  going,  and  till  now  I  have  endured  with  fortitude — alas  ! 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  323 

if  I  had  not  again  seen  you,  I  should  have  been  spared  the 
trial  of  this  moment — the  anguish  of  another,  a  final  sepa- 
ration !' 

Miriam  turned  from  him  agitated  and  confused,  and  fearful 
that  she  had  expressed  too  much  in  the  warmth  of  her  feel- 
ings ;  but  Atherton,  regarding  her  varying  countenance  with 
renovated  hope,  exclaimed, — 

'  And  why  should  we  part,  dearest  Miriam  ?  I  know,  I 
feel  that  you  love  me,  and  surely  the  hearts  which  God  has 
united,  it  were  impious  in  man  to  tear  asunder!' 

'  If  you  would  retain  my  esteem,'  said  Miriam,  '  if  you 
value  my  love,  which  I  have  perhaps  too  lightly  given,  do  not 
tempt  me  to  forget  my  duty  ;  believe  me,  Atherton,  it  is  dearer 
to  me  than  any  selfish  gratification,  even  than  your  affection, 
much  as  I  have  learned  to  prize  it.' 

'  Dear  Miriam,'  replied  Atherton,  with  tenderness,  and 
taking  her  passive  hands  between  his  own,  '  this  is  indeed  a 
recompense  for  all  I  suffered,  and  for  all  that  fate  may  yet 
have  in  store  for  me  !  But  I  would  again  ask,  why  should 
we  part  ?  have  you  not  confidence  enough  in  my  honor  and 
principles,  to  entrust  your  happiness  in  my  keeping  ?  say, 
dearest  Miriam,  that  you  will  be  mine,  and  let  us  not  delay 
to  be  united  by  the  most  holy  ties  !' 

'  I  entreat  you  to  forbear,  Atherton,'  replied  Miriam  ;  '  you 
are  led  away  by  passion,  and  forget  the  delicacy  becoming 
my  sex,  and  the  respect  due  to  your  own  character.  Would 
not  the  world  justly  name  me  with  reproach,  should  I  forsake 
the  friends  to  whom  my  father  entrusted  me,  and  abandon  an 
enterprise  in  which  I  am  engaged  by  every  feeling  of  grati- 
tude and  affection — to  become  the  wife  of  a  stranger — one 
whose  attachment  my  father  disapproves,  and  whose  religion 
is  regarded  with  aversion  ?  Nay,  hear  me  patiently — would 
your  esteem  and  confidence  in  me  remain  undiminished, 


324  PEEP     AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 

were  my  conduct  such  as  to  lessen  me  in  the  public  esti- 
mation ?' 

'  Yes,  dear  Miriam,  I  should  love  you  the  more,  for  rising 
superior  to  such  illiberal  prejudices.' 

4  Is  the  opinion  of  the  wise  and  virtuous  to  be  regarded  as 
an  illiberal  prejudice?'  asked  Miriam;  'no,  Atherton,  my 
own  heart  would  be  the  first  to  condemn  me,  and  for  worlds  I 
would  not  tempt  its  upbraidings.' 

'  Miriam,  you  are  too  scrupulous,'  replied  Atherton  ;  'what 
is  it  you  dread,  what  law  are  you  transgressing,  by  entering 
into  an  alliance  with  me  ?  do  we  not  worship  the  same  God, 
and  what  matters  it  that  we  differ  in  outward  ceremonies  ? 
You  know  that  I  have  ever  manifested  the  most  sincere  re- 
spect for  the  religious  faith  which  is  so  dear  to  you,  which 
my  mother  taught  me  to  love ;  and  I  should  be  far  from  wish- 
ing, you  to  renounce  it  for  that  which  I  profess;  and  surely 
under  such  circumstances  it  would  be  bigotry  in  the  extreme, 
to  condemn  our  union — your  father  cannot  refuse  his  sanction 
— he  will  not  withhold  his  forgiveness,  even  if  you  wait  riot 
for  his  consent — dearest  Miriam,  give  me  one  smile  of  en- 
couragement, or  rather  say  that  you  will  receive  me  for  your 
happy,  your  devoted  husband.' 

'  I  have  encouraged  you  too  much  already  by  my  rash 
avowal;' said  Miriam,  after  a  moment's  pause,'!  have  ex- 
posed to  you  the  weakness  of  my  heart,  and  you  take  advan- 
tage of  it  to  urge  a  request  in  which,  however,  I  can  never 
acquiesce.  I  fear  your  love  is  selfish,  Atherton,  or  you  would 
not  wish  me  to  gratify  it,  at  the  expense  of  any  honorable 
feeling.' 

'Forgive  me,  Miriam,'  returned  Atherton,  with  emotion, 
'if  I  have  said  aught  which  can  justify  that  conclusion. 
Heaven  is  my  witness,  that  your  happiness  is  dearer  to  me 
than  any  earthly  object,  than  life  itself;  and  if  I  have  urged 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  325 

you  beyond  the  bounds  of  prudence  or  delicacy,  attribute  it  to 
the  extent  of  my  affection,  and  the  dread  of  losing  you;  and 
believe  me,  I  will  in  future  endeavor  to  submit  more  cheer- 
fully to  your  decisions.' 

'  I  am  but  too  ready  to  believe  all  that  you  wish  me  to;' 
replied  Miriam  ;  '  and  it  is  only  when  duty  interposes  her  au- 
thority, that  I  can  prove  inexorable  to  your  entreaties.' 

'  May  her  rigid  interdiction  be  soon  removed,"  said  Ather- 
ton,  earnestly.  '  And  yet,  dear  Miriam,  I  cannot  without 
trembling  apprehension,  think  of  your  father's  prejudices — 
his  stern  notions  of  propriety,  which  may  in  an  instant  crush 
all  my  fondly  raised  expectations,  and  again  consign  me  to 
misery.' 

'  We  will  not  borrow  trouble  from  the  future,'  answered 
Miriam,  «  "sufficient  for  the  day  is  the  evil  thereof."  Still, 
Atherton,  let  us  not  be  too  sanguine  of  success  ; — the  result  is 
uncertain,  and  it  is  wise  to  prepare  our  minds  for  disap- 
pointment.' 

'  Do  not  speak  of  it,  Miriam,'  said  Atherton,  impatiently ; 
'  suffer  me  at  least  to  enjoy  the  future,  since  present  happiness 
is  denied  me.  To  part  with  you,  were  alone  enough  of  mis- 
ery;  but  to  see  you  go  forth  to  danger  and  suffering — tell  me, 
Miriam,  what  duty  impels  you  to  such  scenes  ?  why  should 
you  not  even  now  abandon  your  rash  design,  and  return  to 
the  friends  who  you  are  assured  will  receive  you  with  smiles 
of  affectionate  welcome  ?' 

'  Do  not  speak  of  it,  it  is  impossible,'  said  Miriam  with 
emotion  ;  '  suffer  me  to  depart,  Atherton;  our  conference  has 
already  been  too  long.' 

She  endeavored  to  withdraw  her  hand  from  him,  as  she 
spoke  ;  but  he  held  it  firmly,  and  said  in  an  anxious  voice, — 

'  Stay  yet  a  moment,  Miriam,  and  tell  rue,  if  you  have  well 
considered  the  perils  of  your  undertaking  ?  the  hardships  you 
23 


326  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

may  be  called  to  encounter,  from  want  and  its  attendant  evils, 
and  above  all,  from  the  fury  of  those  barbarous  savages,  who 
are  even  now  spreading  terror  throughout  the  scattered  col- 
onies ?  Oh,  Miriam,  my  heart  bleeds  at  the  bare  possibility 
that  you  may  be  left  to  suffer,  in  a  land  of  strangers  and 
barbarians  !' 

'  I  have  thought  of  all,  of  every  thing,'  said  Miriam  ;  '  and 
I  am  in  the  protection  of  One,  who  will  keep  me  "  under  the 
shadow  of  his  wings  in  safety,"  and  who  is  alike  present  in 
every  place.  Do  not  seek  to  persuade  me,  Atherton,  you 
may  agitate  me  by  your  fears,  but  you  cannot  alter  my  de- 
termination.' 

1 1  well  know  your  perseverance,  in  what  you  regard  a 
duty,'  returned  Atherton  ;  '  but  is  it  a  duty,  Miriam,  to  rush 
into  certain  danger?  think,  if  evil  should  befall  you,  it  will 
"  bring  down  your  father's  gray  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the 
grave."  ! 

'  And  should  I  shrink  from  a  dangerous  duty  ?'  asked  Mi- 
riam ;  '  would  not  that  father  blush  for  the  weakness  of  a 
daughter  so  unworthy  of  parents,  who  dared  and  suffered 
without  fear,  in  the  cause  of  liberty  and  religion  ?  No, 
Atherton,  you  entreat  me  in  vain — it  shall  not  be  said  that  I 
yielded  to  the  language  of  passion,  when  I  was  deaf  to  the 
voice  of  reason  and  friendship — or  that  like  a  weak  girl,  I 
turned  back  to  enjoy  the  society  of  one  for  whom  with  capri- 
cious fondness,  I  forsook  the  friend  who  cherished  me  in  in- 
fancy, and  neglected  the  commands  of  an  absent  father.' 

'  That  shall  not  be  said,  dear  Miriam  ;  only  go  to  the  safe 
shelter  of  the  home  you  have  abandoned,  and  the  most  fas- 
tidious shall  not  have  cause  to  reproach  you.  I  will  remove 
far  from  you — again  become  a  wanderer  on  the  earth,  and 
however  painful  the  self-denial,  refrain  from  seeing  you,  until 
your  father  shall  return  and  decide  my  destiny.' 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  327 

'  Do  not  urge  me  on  this,  on  any  subject;'  said  Miriam,  af- 
fected by  his  earnestness  ;  '  you  will  make  me  hate  myself,  as 
the  cause  of  your  unhappiness  and  anxiety— let  me  leave 
you,  Atherton  ;  I  cannot,  must  not  grant  your  request.' 

'  Then  I  will  go  with  you,'  returned  Atherton,  again  de- 
taining her  ;  '  I  will  follow  you — be  ever  near  you — I  would 
die  to  serve  you ;  but  I  cannot  leave  you  to  contend  with  dan- 
gers, which  my  arm  might  avert  from  you.' 

'  My  trust  is  not  in  an  arm  of  flesh,'  said  Miriam  ;  'but  in 
Him,  without  whose  permission  not  a  sparrow  falls  to  the 
ground.  Dear  Atherton,'  she  added,  with  a  glowing  cheek, 
and  faltering  voice,  '  we  must  separate  ;  but  let  us  remember 
each  other  daily  in  our  prayers,  and  cherish  the  hope,  that 
God,  in  his  own  good  time,  will  grant  us  a  happier  meeting : 
but  should  we  not  be  permitted  to  meet  again  in  this  vale  of 
tears,  there  are  brighter  mansions  above,  where  the  pain  of 
parting  is  never  felt,  and  the  distinctions  of  faith  and  worship 
are  unknown.' 

'  Dearest  Miriam,'  said  Atherton, '  there  is  not  a  moment  of 
my  existence  in  which  you  are  absent  from  my  mind ;  your 
image  is  blended  with  every  thought,  it  is  the  spring  of  every 
hope,  the  inspirer  of  every  pleasure — and  can  you  blame  me, 
that  I  reluctantly  resign  the  delight  and  treasure  of  my  soul  ? 
Oh,  Miriam,  the  thought  that  your  heart  may  grow  cold  and 
change,  is  to  me  more  bitter  than  death  !' 

'  Fear  it  not !'  said  Miriam,  raising  her  tearful  eyes  to  his ; 
'  Atherton,  you  have  wrung  from  me  the  secret  of  my  love, 
and  now  why  should  I  blush  to  assure  you,  that  neither 
time,  nor  suffering,  nor  reproach,  can  ever  eradicate  it  from 
my  heart.' 

'  Ten  thousand  thanks  for  this  assurance,'  said  Atherton  ; 
c  it  shall  be  like  a  precious  talisman,  to  chase  away  doubt 
and  despair,  in  the  gloomy  moments  of  our  separation. — 


328  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Look  up,  my  beloved  Miriam,  on  this  lovely  moon,  and 
often  as  you  gaze  upon  it,  when  far  away,  think  that  my  eyes 
are  also  raised  to  it,  and  may  our  thoughts  mingle,  and  the 
remembrance  of  this  hour  descend,  like  a  balmy  dew  upon  our 
spirits !' 

Before  Miriam  could  reply,  the  sound  of  footsteps  was 
heard  approaching ;  and  in  an  instant  she  fled,  like  a  young 
doe  from  the  presence  of  Atherton. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  329 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

Contention,  like  a  horse 

Full  of  high  feeding,  madly  hath  broke  loose, 

And  bears  down  all  before  him. 

SHAKSFEAKE. 

THE  following  morning  was  bright  and  cloudless,  with  a 
strong  westerly  wind  ;  and  soon  after  sun-rise,  Mr.  Weldon 
and  his  fair  companions,  recommenced  their  wintry  voyage 
towards  the  wilderness  of  Connecticut.  Major  Atherton  stood 
on  the  sea-shore,  straining  his  eyes  to  catch  a  last  glimpse 
of  the  vessel,  as  it  rapidly  disappeared ;  and  feeling  as  if 
every  wave  which  bore  it  onward,  opposed  an  impassable 
barrier,  between  himself  and  the  object  of  his  affections. 
When  it  was  no  longer  visible,  and  even  the  white  sails  had 
fluttered  for  the  last  time  in  his  view,  and  sunk  below  the 
horizon,  he  continued  to  stand  and  gaze  till  finding  himself 
regarded  with  curiosity,  he  reluctantly  retired  from  the  spot. 
Week  after  week  passed  away,  and  Atherton  mingled  as 
usual  in  society,  though  often  with  an  abstracted  mind,  and  a 
heart  filled  with  anxiety  respecting  the  fate  of  Miriam.  The 
return  of  the  vessel,  however,  at  length  brought  him  a  few 
lines  from  Mr.  Weldon,  informing  him  that  they  had  reached 
Hartford  in  safety,  after  a  prosperous  voyage,  and  were  then 
comfortable  situated  and  provided  with  all  the  necessaries  of 
life.  The  letter  contained  few  particulars,  but  it  greatly  re- 
lieved Atherton's  apprehensions,  and  by  degrees  the  situation 
and  prospects  of  Miriam  became  a  subject  of  less  painful 
solicitude  to  his  thoughts.  Still  with  all  his  exertions  and  all 
his  resolutions,  he  passed  many  moments  of  extreme  dejection  ; 
23* 


330  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

and  the  long  and  gloomy  months  of  winter  seemed  almost 
interminable. 

The  political  and  religious  dissensions,  which  disturbed 
the  infancy  of  Boston,  were  about  that  time  carried  to  their 
height ;  and  in  every  place,  they  became  subjects  of  discus- 
sion, often  of  rancor  and  personal  animosity.  The  adminis- 
tration of  Governor  Vane — which,  even  at  this  day  appears 
equivocal — was  defended  with  zeal  or  arraigned  with  acrimo- 
ny, according  to  the  different  views  and  feelings  of  the  indi- 
viduals who  judged  him,  with  a  degree  of  freedom  which  is 
still  considered  lawful  in  the  subjects  of  a  free  government, 
who,  whether  competent  or  not,  regard  it  as  their  birth-right 
to  speak  unreservedly  of  the  conduct  and  character  of  their 
rulers. 

But  the  golden  apple  of  discord,  was  the  ill-fated  Mrs. 
Hutchinson — then  according  to  the  opinion  of  her  friends,  in 
the  zenith  of  glory — and  of  her  opponents,  in  the  depths  of 
humiliation.  The  boldness  of  her  spirit  defied  all  opposition, 
and  far  from  yielding  to  the  anathema's  fulminated  against 
her,  she  took  up  the  gauntlet  and  waged  a  zealous  war  with 
both  magistrates  and  clergy.  Her  enthusiasm,  and  apparent 
sincerity  of  devotion,  with  a  winning  address  and  most  per- 
suasive eloquence,  both  in  her  private  conversation  and  public 
exhortations,  which  were  always  seasoned  with  the  '  odor  of 
sanctity,'  gained  her  numerous  converts,  particularly  among 
her  own  sex.  Encouraged  by  success,  perhaps  inclined  to 
shew  her  contempt  for  all  authority,  she  set  up  a  weekly  lec- 
ture at  her  own  house,  to  instruct  and  edify  the  sisters,  where 
it  was  her  custom  to  repeat  the  substance  of  the  discourses, 
which  had  been  delivered  on  the  preceding  Sabbath,  and  to 
add  her  own  remarks  and  expositions  by  way  of  improvement. 
A  very  few  of  the  clergy  who  adopted  her  sentiments,  or  at 
least  palliate^  them,  she  declared  to  be  under  a  covenant  of 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  331 

grace ;  while  those  who  stigmatized  her  errors,  and  ceased 
not  in  public  and  private,  to  denounce  her  as  a  leader  of  Anti- 
nomianism — one  who  taught  from  the  very  dregs  of  Famil- 
ism — she  pronounced  to  be  under  a  covenant  of  works  ;  and 
into  these  two  parties  the  whole  colony  was  at  length  di- 
vided. 

It  is  not  surprising  that  this  universal  excitement  alarmed 
the  friends  of  peace  and  good  order ;  but  unfortunately  ger- 
sonal  dislike  and  animosity,  warned  even  the  coolest  judg- 
ments, and  rankled  in  the  most  benevolent  hearts ;  with  un- 
christian violence  they  resorted  to  threats  and  persecution, 
and  like  Saul  of  Tarsus,  believed  they  were  'doing  God 
service.'  Even  the  calm  and  lenient  Winthrop,  and  the 
heavenly-minded  Eliot,  laid  aside  the  spirit  of  charity  and 
forgiveness  \rhich  usually  influenced  them,  and  took  part  in 
the  controversy,  and  assisted  to  condemn  that  unhappy  wo- 
man. The  ministers  from  the  neighboring,  and  even  distant 
towns,  resorted  to  Boston,  to  learn  the  truth  of  the  reports 
which  were  rapidly  circulated  ;  and  if  needful  to  lend  their 
aid  to  suppress  the  disorder;  but  the  contagion  had  spread  too 
far,  and  Mrs.  Hutchinson  daily  increased  the  evil,  by  advanc- 
ing some  new  and  absurd  doctrine  of  theology,  which  she 
maintained  with  a  subtlety  of  argument,  and  a  versatility  of 
talent,  perplexing  the  soundest  minds,  and  giving  to  error  the 
appearance  of  consistency  and  truth.  She  was  evidently 
favored  by  Governor  Vane  ;  and  it  was  probably  owing  to  his 
influence  that  her  trial  and  consequent  banishment  were  de- 
ferred until  another  season. 

Major  Atherton  prudently  preserved  a  strict  neutrality  on 
these  subjects  of  contention  ;  as  he  had  been  kindly  admon- 
ished to  do  by  Mr.  Winthrop,  when  in  the  warmth  of  his  feel- 
ings, he  once  ventured  to  defend  the  character  of  Mrs.  Hutch- 
inson, whom  he  really  believed  far  less  culpable  than  her  ad- 


332  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

versaries  were  willing  to  allow.  Though  led  away  by  an  ex- 
treme of  fanaticism,  which  had  blighted  her  character,  and 
perverted  her  strong  and  highly  gifted  mind, — a  mind  capable 
under  other  circumstances,  of  ranking  her  with  the  most  dis- 
tinguished of  her  sex, — he  though  she  might,  and  doubtless 
did  believe  herself  actuated  by  a  sense  of  duty,  and  a  desire 
of  being  extensively  useful.  Atherton,  however,  soon  became 
weary  of  topics  which  were  often  introduced  and  discussed 
with  acrimony,  even  in  the  domestic  and  social  circle ;  for 
from  the  Governor  to  the  meanest  dependent  on  his  bounty, 
every  individual  espoused  the  cause  of  one  or  other  of  the  ri- 
val parties  and  argued  on  the  different  points  of  doctrine  as 
inclination  or  interest  or  conviction  dictated ;  and  with  a  zeal, 
which  blazed  without  light,  and  a  faith  which  had  little  re- 
gard to  the  law  of  charity.  Atherton  vainly  hoped  to  indulge 
again  in  the  interchange  of  rational  and  friendly  sentiments, 
which  he  had  so  much  enjoyed,  before  the  influence  of  pas- 
sion and  prejudice  banished  the  kindlier  feelings  from  the 
heart,  and  substituted  crude  systems  of  divinity,  and  polemic 
disquisition  for  those  subjects  of  general  interest,  which  at  once 
exercised  the  mind  and  affections,  and  gave  indulgence  to  the 
flow  of  harmless  wit,  and  chastened  gayety.  He  often  resolv- 
ed to  return  to  Plymouth  ;  but  still  delayed  from  day  to  day, 
in  the  hope  that  by  remaining  in  Boston,  he  should  sooner  re- 
ceive intelligence  from  Connecticut, — whither  he  would  most 
gladly  have  gone,  had  he  not  felt  restrained  by  respect  for  the 
wishes  of  Miriam  Grey  ;  indeed,  he  had  promised  her  at  the 
moment  of  parting,  that  none  but  the  most  urgent  motives 
should  induce  him  to  follow  her. 

Towards  the  close  of  winter  these  local  dissensions  yielded, 
in  a  great  measure,  to  subjects  of  more  general  interest.  The 
aggressions  of  the  Pequod  Indians,  the  most  cruel  and  war- 
like tribes  of  North  America,  became  daily  more  alarming, 


PEEP     AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  333 

and  spread  terror  and  dismay  throughout  the  colonies,  partic- 
ularly of  Connecticut,  which  was  marked  out  for  the  first  ob- 
ject of  their  vengeance.  Sassacus,  their  sachem,  a  fierce  and 
daring  prince,  whose  very  name  was  a  terror  to  his  enemies, 
convened  his  depending  warriors,  who  readily  acceded  to  his 
wishes,  and  sought  an  alliance  with  the  Mohegan  and  Narra- 
ganset  tribes.  But  Providence  mercifully  overruled  his  de- 
sign, which,  if  successful,  must  have  produced  the  most  fatal 
consequences,  if  indeed  it  had  not  annihilated  the  colonies 
of  New  England.  Uncas,  sachem  of  the  Mohegans,  though 
sprung  from  the  royal  blood  of  the  Pequods,  and  connected 
with  them  by  marriage,  refused  to  negotiate  with  Sassacus. 
Having  early  entertained  a  friendship  for  the  English,  he  re- 
mained faithful  to  their  interests,  and  proved  of  essential  ser- 
vice to  them  in  the  perilous  struggle  which  at  last  closed  the 
warfare. 

Sassacus  was  at  first  more  successful  with  the  Narragansets, 
a  powerful  nation  bordering  the  Bay  of  that  name, and  stretch- 
ing inland  through  the  now  thriving  State  of  Rhode  Island  ; 
but  Miantonimo,  their  sachem,  though  usually  politic  and  wa- 
ry, in  this  instance  suffered  himself  to  be  governed  by  feelings 
of-revenge,  to  the  prejudice  of  his  future  interests.  The  Nar- 
ragansets had  generally  maintained  a  friendly  intercourse  with 
the  English,  though  occasional  acts  of  treachery,  so  natural 
to  the  Indian  character,  proved  that  their  friendship  was  the 
result  of  fear,  rather  than  affection.  The  Pequods  they  regar- 
ded with  the  jealous  hatred  of  hereditary  rivalship.  Though 
scarcely  equal  to  themselves  in  population  and  territory, 
their  superior  power  and  influence  was  a  subject  of  envy  and 
mortification ;  and  the  warlike  spirit  of  Sassacus,  which  had 
conquered  all  the  petty  tribes  that  surrounded  him,  and 
held  them  as  vassals  to  his  will,  gave  him  a  pre-eminence 


334  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

which  the  haughty  Miantonimo  was  most  unwilling  to  ac- 
knowledge. 

Sassacus,  in  his  treaty  with  the  Narragansets,  represented 
the  white  people  as  intruders,  and  recapitulated  the  various 
grievances  they  had  received  from  them,  in  a  manner  calculated 
to  stir  up  the  savage  spirit  of  hatred  and  revenge.  With  con- 
summate art  he  urged  the  necessity  of  union  against  the  com- 
mon enemy,  and  detailed  the  means  by  which  it  would  be 
practicable,  by  a  predatory  warfare,  to  exterminate  them,  with- 
out the  hazard  of  resorting  to  open  arms.  He  concluded  by 
predicting  that  if  the  Narragansets  leagued  with  the  English 
against  the  Pequods,  they  would  eventually  involve  themselves 
in  certain  destruction. 

These  arguments  had  well  nigh  proved  successful ;  but  the 
government  of  Massachusetts,  learning  the  intrigues  of  the 
Pequods,  determined  if  possible,  to  counteract  their  designs  ; 
and  while  the  Narragansets  were  yet  hesitating  what  course 
to  pursue,  they  dispatched  to  them  an  embassage  of  peace  and 
amity.  Canonicus,  the  head  sachem,  had  regarded  the  first 
settlers  of  Plymouth  as  intruders  ;  and  stimulated  by  his  jeal- 
ous fears,  he  early  sent  them  a  challenge  of  defiance,  con- 
tained in  the  emblematic  present  of  a  bundle  of  arrows,  bound 
with  a  serpent's  skin.  Governor  Bradford  ordered  the  skin 
to  be  filled  with  powder  and  bullets,  and  returned,  with 
a  spirited  message  to  the  savage  monarch  ;  and  the  expedient 
so  intimidated  him,  that  he  was  not  only  afraid  to  touch  them, 
but  even  refused  them  a  place  in  his  dominions  ;  and  he  ever 
after  discovered  a  more  peaceable  and  friendly  disposition. — 
He  was  now  grown  very  old,  and  had  resigned  the  govern- 
ment to  his  nephew,  Miantonimo,  a  young  prince  of  great 
stature,  and  stern  and  cruel  disposition.  He  however  enter- 
tained the  ambassadors  from  the  Massachusetts  with  royal 
hospitality  ;  and  in  the  presence  of  his  aged  relative  and  a 


PEEP    AT    THE  PILGRIMS.  335 

great  number  of  attendants  who  'trembled  at  his  speech,'  he 
prepared  to  receive  their  message.  They  were  assembled  un- 
der the  shelter  of  a  circular  building,  formed  by  long  poles 
driven  into  the  ground  and  covered  over  with  mats  ;  and  dur- 
ing the  speech  of  the  interpreters,  Miantonimo  lay  extended 
on  a  mat,  encircled  by  his  counselors  and  nobles,  who  listen- 
ed to  them  with  the  most  grave  attention.  The  hope  of  sub- 
duing the  hitherto  invincible  Sassacus,  of  whom  they  were 
accustomed  to  say,  'he  is  all  one  god,  no  man  can  kill  him,' 
and  of  extirminating  his  brave  warriors,  prevailed  in  the  sa- 
chem's mind  over  every  suggestion  of  prudence  and  interest, 
and  he  signified  his  readiness  to  remain  at  peace  with  the  En- 
glish, and  consented  to  repair  to  Boston,  to  sign  the  articles  of 
a  treaty. 

A  few  days  after  the  return  of  the  messengers,  it  was  ac- 
cordingly rumored  that  the  young  king  of  the  Narragansets, 
with  twenty  of  his  principal  attendants,  were  approaching  the 
town  ;  and  as  a  mark  of  peculiar  respect,  twenty  musketeers 
were  sent  to  meet  them  at  Roxbury,  and  escort  them  the  re- 
mainder of  the  way.  The  windows  of  all  the  houses  were 
filled  with  women  and  children,  impatient  to  behold  the  pro- 
cession ;  for  though  the  red  children  of  the  forest  were  at 
that  period  no  novelty  in  New  England,  a  train  of  sable  war- 
riors, decked  out  in  savage  splendor,  was  an  imposing  specta- 
cle ;  and  when  were  not  women  and  children  eager  to  see 
whatever  is  rare  or  wonderful  ?  The  public  officers  of  Bos- 
ton assembled  in  dignified  state  ;  and  the  boys,  let  loose  from 
school,  ran  shouting  through  the  streets,  to  the  great  an- 
noyance of  Master  Handcuff,  who,  it  is  recorded,  had  a 
world  of  trouble  to  depress  their  merry  hallooing  to  the  puri- 
tanic key. 

Miantonimo,  guarded  on  each  side  by  an  inferior  sachem, 
and  immediately  followed  by  the  two  sons  of  Canonicus,  led 


336  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

forward  the  procession  ;  his  figure  was  graceful  and  majestic, 
his  features  stern,  but  noble,  and  his  elastic  step  and  lofty 
bearing  expressed  the  pride  and  independence  of  an  untamed 
and  courageous  spirit.  His  dress  was  composed  of  deer  skins, 
falling  below  the  knees,  and  profusely  decorated  with  gaudy 
colors,  interwoven  with  tinsel  beads  and  wrought  with  the 
quills  of  the  porcupine ;  his  moccasins  were  of  the  same  ma- 
terials, and  adorned  in  a  similar  manner  ;  from  his  shoulders 
depended  a  sort  of  cloak,  composed  of  the  richest  furs,  and  a 
plume  of  eagle's  feathers  ornamented  his  head.  His  face  was 
painted  with  various  colors,  representing  the  most  uncouth 
figures  ;  he  carried  a  bow,  and  a  quiver  well  filled  with  ar- 
rows hung  at  his  back.  His  followers,  attired  much  in  the 
same  manner,  though  less  richly,  walked  after  him  with  a 
grave  and  solemn  pace,  and  the  English  guards,  in  their  mili- 
tary dress,  brought  up  the  rear,  marching  to  the  sound  of  mar- 
tial music,  which  seemed  highly  enjoyed  by  their  savage  visi- 
tors. The  Governor,  clergy,  and  magistrates  received  them 
at  the  entrance  of  the  town  with  becoming  ceremony;  for  no 
people  are  more  jealous  of  etiquette,  so  far  as  their  knowledge 
extends : — and  having  bid  them  welcome,  they  were  conduct- 
ed to  a  place  prepared,  where  a  conference  was  holden  respect- 
ing the  proposed  treaty. 

Miantonimo  consented  on  behalf  of  himself  and  people  to 
engage  in  a  war  .against  the  Pequods,  on  condition  that  no 
peace  should  be  made  with  them,  but  that  they  should  be  ut- 
terly destroyed.  The  Governor  and  his  council  took  until 
the  next  morning  to  consider  his  proposals,  when  certain  ar- 
ticles, embracing  a  system  of  warfare,  offensive  and  defensive, 
were  agreed  upon  and  signed  by  the  different  parties.  The 
prince  and  his  people  were  hospitably  entertained  at  the  Gov- 
ernor's own  table,  and  apparently  much  pleased  with  their 
reception ;  and  on  the  following  day  they  left  the  abodes  of 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  337 

civilization,  and  returned  to  the  freedom  of  their  humble  wig- 
wams,— probably  more  dear  to  them  than  the  splendid  re- 
straints of  a  palace. 

This  coalition  between  their  mortal  enemies  enraged  the 
Pequods  beyond  measure.  Far  from  being  appalled  by  the 
threatening  danger,  they  renewed  their  warfare  with  redou- 
bled eagerness,  and  a  degree  of  malicious  cunning,  which  a 
savage  only  could  display.  They  justly  relied  on  their  ad- 
dress and  duplicity,  which  had  hitherto  proved  far  more  effec- 
tual than  the  exercise  of  their  barbarous  courage,  when  con- 
tending with  men  inured  to  discipline,  and  possessing  pow- 
erful machines  of  destruction,  unknown  to  them.  It  was, 
therefore,  their  constant  and  too  often  successful  aim,  to  draw 
the  English  from  their  places  of  defence,  when,  concealed  in 
their  own  retreats,  they  discharged  their  poisoned  arrows 
with  fatal  aim,  or  led  their  unhappy  victims  to  a  more  slow 
and  dreadful  death.  They  were  also  continually  lying  in  am- 
bush for  the  incautious  laborer,  or  unguarded  traveler,  who 
were  often  entrapped  by  their  artifice,  and  inhumanly  sacri- 
ficed to  their  revenge. 

Fortunately  for  the  early  planters  of  Connecticut,  the  Indi- 
ans of  that  region, — with  the  exception  of  the  Pequods  and 
their  few  allies, — were  almost  universally  favorable  to  their 
settlement,  and  in  every  possible  way,  rendered  them  assistance 
and  protection.  They  instructed  them  how  to  plant  their 
corn,  carried  them  on  their  backs  through  rivers  and  morass- 
es, restored  the  children  who  had  strayed  from  their  parents, 
and  often  supplied  them  with  food  in  their  impoverished  state. 
They  hoped  with  the  assistance  of  the  white  people  to  resist 
the  despotic  will  of  the  more  powerful  tribes,  and  in  time,  to 
shake  off  a  yoke  which  had  long  afflicted  them.  In  this  ex- 
pectation, and  in  their  deeds  of  kindness,  they  were  support- 
ed by  the  Indians  on  the  western  side  of  the  river,  who  had 
29 


338  PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

been  subjugated  by  the  Mohawks,  a  ferocious  people,  who 
like  the  Goths  and  Vandals  of  ancient  Europe,  poured  from 
their  eternal  forests  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson  and  Mohawk, 
and  spread  destruction  in  their  course.  They  had  conquered 
the  inferior  tribes,  even  to  the  borders  of  Virginia,  and  annu- 
ally dispatched  their  emissaries  to  exact  tribute  from  their  sub- 
jects, who  if  they  dared  to  refuse  were  punished  with  the 
most  relentless  fury. 

The  colonists,  thus  partially  protected  by  the  friendly  Indi- 
ans, and  using  the  utmost  vigilance  to  insure  their  safety,  suf- 
fered less  than  might  have  been  expected,  considering  their 
defenceless  state,  and  the  power  and  rancor  of  the  enemy. — 
Still  they  were  in  continual  apprehension  ;  every  man  was 
obliged  to  be  constantly  armed,  and  they  dared  not  meet  even 
for  public  worship,  without  a  sufficient  guard  to  protect  them 
from  assault.  But  the  malice  of  the  enemy  was  at  that 
time  principally  directed  against  the  fort  of  Saybrook,  at 
the  mouth  of  Connecticut  river,  and  not  more  than  twenty 
miles  from  the  royal  fortress  of  Sassacus,  which  occupied  the 
site  of  the  now  flourishing  town  of  New  London.  This  fort 
was  built  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Winthrop.  a  son  of  the 
Governor  of  Massachusetts,  who  in  the  preceding  year  was 
sent  from  England  with  a  commission  from  certain  nobles  and 
gentlemen  interested  in  the  patent  of  Connecticut,  to  govern 
their  projected  colonies.  They  also  supplied  him  with  money, 
ammunition  and  every  necessary  for  the  erection  of  the  fort, 
to  which,  in  honor  of  his  noble  patrons,  the  Viscount  Say  and 
Seal,  and  Lord  Brook,  he  gave  the  name  which  is  still  retain- 
ed by  the  village  where  it  was  situated.  The  military  com- 
mand was  given  to  Lieutenant  Gardner,  a  skillful  engineer, 
who  had  assisted  in  planning  the  fortifications  ;  and  a  settle- 
ment was  commenced,  and  houses  erected  for  the  garrison. — 
The  Dutch,  who  had  long  desired  to  occupy  the  fruitful  re- 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  339 

gions  of  the  Connecticut,  and  had  already  made  some  ineffec- 
tual attempts  to  settle  in  different  parts,  were  then  on  the 
point  of  sailing  to  take  possession  of  that  important  place. — 
But  the  activity  of  Mr.  Winthrop  defeated  their  design ;  and 
before  the  vessel  from  the  New  Netherlands  appeared  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river,  he  had  mounted  cannon  sufficient  to  op- 
pose their  entrance  and  compel  them  to  retire. 

During  the  winter,  the  garrison  at  Saybrook  were  so  hard 
pressed  by  the  enemy,  that  it  was  almost  dangerous  to  ven- 
ture beyond  the  intrenchments  ;  but  Lieutenant  Gardner  with 
only  twenty  men,  maintained  a  brave  resistance,  and  not  only 
kept  the  enemy  at  bay,  but  spared  several  soldiers  from  his 
small  band  to  defend  a  house  at  the  distance  of  two  miles, 
which  was  exposed  to  their  attacks.  The  Indians  also  watch- 
ed the  river  so  closely,  that  it  was  perilous  to  pass  as  usual  in 
boats,  even  with  a  strong  guard  ;  and  as  there  was  no  other 
means  of  communication  with  the  sister  colonies  at  that  in- 
clement season,  the  inhabitants  of  the  Massachusetts  heard 
only  casual  reports  of  the  situation  of  their  brethren  at  Con- 
necticut. These  were  however  sufficient  to  excite  extreme 
apprehension  in  the  mind  of  Major  Atherton,  who  resolved 
to  embrace  the  earliest  opportunity  of  repairing  to  the  scene 
of  danger,  and  relieving  his  solicitude  respecting  the  fate  of 
Miriam  Grey. 


340  PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER     XXIV. 

Therefore,  all  hearts  in  love  use  their  own  tongues, 
Let  every  eye  negotiate  for  itself, 

And  trust  no  agent :  • 

SHAKSPEAHE. 

THE  return  of  spring  brought  little  relief  to  the  distressed  in- 
habitants of  Connecticut.  The  Indians  continued  their  hos- 
tilities, which  were  marked  by  the  most  atrocious  cruelties 
that  ever  harrowed  the  feelings  of  humanity ;  and  their  con- 
stant watchfulness  rendered  it  unsafe  even  to  pursue  the  nec- 
essary labors  of  agriculture.  Nothing  but  that  persevering 
energy  and  unwavering  confidence  in  divine  protection, 
which  so  remarkably  characterized  the  pilgrims  of  New 
England,  could  have  enabled  them  to  endure  such  complicated 
trials ;  but  though  afflicted,  they  were  not  discouraged ;  in 
the  midst  of  tribulation  they  never  abandoned  the  hope  of 
brighter  days,  and  the  final  establishment  of  that  civil  and 
religious  freedom,  which  they  suffered  so  much  to  obtain  for 
themselves  and  their  posterity. 

In  February  a  court  was  convened  at  Hartford,  to  concert 
measures  for  the  public  safety ;  and  a  letter  was  addressed  to 
the  Governor  of  the  Massachusetts,  entreating  his  assistance 
in  the  prosecution  of  a  vigorous  war.  Captain  Mason  in  the 
mean  time  was  dispatched  with  twenty  men, — though  ill- 
spared  from  the  defence  of  their  homes, — to  support  the  gar- 
rison at  Saybrook,  which  had  been  considerably  weakened  by 
skirmishes  with  the  enemy,  in  which  several  of  the  soldiers 
were  killed  or  taken  prisoners.  But  the  Pequods,  probably 
alarmed  by  this  reinforcement,  almost  immediately  withdrew 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  341 

from  the  neighborhood  of  the  fort,  as  it  was  supposed,  to  at- 
tack some  less  defensible  position. 

The  people  of  Massachusetts  and  Plymouth  displayed  an 
active  sympathy  for  the  sufferings  of  the  sister  colony,  and 
promptly  agreed  to  raise  a  sufficient  force,  and  march  to  their 
relief,  as  soon  as  it  was  possible  to  make  the  necessary  ar- 
rangements. Major  Atherton  solicited,  and  received  permis- 
sion to  join  the  Massachusetts  troops  as  a  volunteer  ;  happy 
again  to  share  the  dangers  of  a  profession,  which  had  early 
inspired  him  with  a  romantic  fondness  for  scenes  of  daring 
adventure  ;  while  the  image  of  Miriam  Grey,  and  the  de- 
lightful thought  that  he  should  soon  be  near  to  protect  her, 
continually  floated  in  his  imagination. 

But  the  organization  of  even  a  diminutive  army  of  two 
hundred  men,  was  attended  with  many  delays  at  that  early 
period  of  the  settlement,  when  men  became  soldiers  only  from 
necessity ;  and  at  an  immense  sacrifice  of  personal  interest, 
left  the  duties  of  their  station  to  combat  with  a  powerful  and 
inhuman  enemy.  These  and  other  circumstances  rendered  it 
improbable  that  they  would  be  able  to  effect  a  junction  with 
the  Connecticut  troops,  before  the  commencement  of  May ; 
but  Captain  Underbill,  with  twenty  men,  was  required  to  put 
himself  in  immediate  readiness  to  go  forward  and  relieve  the 
garrison  at  Saybrook.  It  was  then  near  the  close  of  March  ; 
and  before  these  arrangements  were  completed,  a  small  vessel 
from  the  Dutch  settlement  of  the  New  Netherlands,  arrived 
on  a  trading  voyage  in  the  harbor  of  Boston.  It  brought 
many  fearful  reports  of  the  continued  atrocities  of  the  Pe- 
quods,  the  ravages  they  had  made,  and  the  terror  which  they 
everywhere  inspired;  and  this  additional  intelligence  com- 
pletely roused  the  spirited  exertions  of  the  people,  who  again 
unitedly  resolved  to  resist  the  daring  injuries,  which  threat- 
ened to  bring  destruction  upon  the  whole  country.  These 
29* 


342  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

accounts  also  renewed  the  fears  of  Atherton  respecting  the 
situation  of  Miriam  Grey,  who  he  imagined  surrounded  by  a 
thousand  dangers,  which  haunted  his  mind  without  cessa- 
tion ;  and  impatient  of  delay,  he  resolved  at  once  to  end  the 
misery  of  suspense.  He  therefore  obtained  leave  to  repair 
immediately  to  Saybrook  fort,  without  waiting  for  Captain 
Underhill ;  and  the  master  of  the  Dutch  vessel,  for  a  hand- 
some compensation,  agreed  to  furnish  him  with  a  passage  to 
the  desired  port. 

On  the  morning  of  his  departure,  Major  Atherton  wrote  a 
few  lines  to  Captain  Standish,  hastily  sketching  his  plans, 
though  without  alluding  to  the  hopes,  which  almost  unknown 
to  himself,  were  a  powerful  incentive  to  action,  and  had  ob- 
tained an  unbounded  influence  over  his  mind.  It  was  there- 
fore with  feelings  of  pleasurable  expectation  rather  than  regret 
— for  which  he  was  half  inclined  to  reproach  himself  as  un- 
grateful— that  he  took  leave  of  his  hospitable  friends  at  Bos- 
ton ;  and  furnished  with  suitable  credentials  to  Lieutenant 
Gardner,  again  committed  himself  to  the  winds  and  waves, 
under  the  guidance  of  a  people,  of  whose  very  language  he 
was  ignorant.  But  Captain  Van  Schiller,  a  native  of  Hol- 
land, proved  civil  and  obliging  in  his  way — that  is,  he  sat 
quietly  on  deck  smoking  his  pipe,  his  square  head  leaning 
against  the  mainmast,  and  his  short  thick  legs  resting  on  a 
keg  of  spirits,  perfectly  contented  that  they  were  moving, 
however  slowly  ;  and  good-naturedly  resolved  to  let  every  one 
do  as  he  pleased,  and  manage  affairs  in  his  own  way,  so  long 
as  it  did  not  interfere  with  his  interest  or  comfort.  Besides, 
he  would  speak  but  little  English,  except  so  far  as  was  neces- 
sary to  drive  a  good  bargain  with  that  crafty  nation,  in  which, 
to  do  him  justice,  he  seldom  lost  any  thing  through  ignorance  ; 
and  Atherton  finding  him  inclined  to  drowsiness,  and  the  men 
unable  to  comprehend  any  thing  but  their  own  guttural  and 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  343 

most  unharmonious  mother  tongue — sat  down  alone  and  un- 
disturbed on  the  deck,  his  eyes  long  lingering  on  the  pleasant 
shores  of  the  bay,  as  yet  scarcely  divested  of  their  wintry 
covering,  though  here  and  there  a  sheltered  glade  or  sunny 
hill  was  faintly  tinged  with  verdure,  the  first  promise  of  ap- 
proaching spring. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  Dutch  vessel,  sunk  almost  to  the  wa- 
ter's edge,  moved  slowly  along,  encumbered  by  a  weight  of 
planks  and  useless  tackle,  almost  sufficient  to  equip  a  man  of 
war  in  these  economical  times ;  but  most  inconveniently  mis- 
placed in  the  small  but  clumsy  vessel,  that  ploughed  heavily 
through  the  waves,  which  at  every  instant  extorted  a  groan 
from  it,  as  if  in  the  act  of  forcing  its  ribs  asunder.  The  crew, 
probably  used  to  its  distress,  seemed  totally  to  disregard  it, 
and  pursued  their  navigation  with  .admirable  gravity,  seldom 
suspending  their  labor  to  exercise  their  colloquial  powers,  or 
indulge  in  those  bursts  of  merriment  to  which  the  seamen  of 
other  nations  are  so  prone.  Perhaps  this  was  from  deference 
to  their  Captain,  whose  meditations  were  long  and  deep;  but 
whether  he  was  holding  high  converse  with  his  own  thoughts, 
or  admiring  the  thick  waisted  beauties  gallantly  pictured  on 
his  vessel, — he  might,  for  aught  of  life  or  motion,  as  well 
have  represented  the  figure  of  St.  Nicholas  which  decorated 
the  stern,  save  for  the  volumes  of  smoke  which  curled  from 
his  capacious  mouth, — a  luxury  probably  unknown  to  the 
worthy  saint.  Once  also,  an  unlucky  wight,  who  hovered 
high  in  air  on  the  main-mast-top,  let  fall  a  coil  of  rope,  which 
lighting  on  the  centre  of  his  pericranium,  sent  forth  from  the 
interior  a  hollow  reverberation  like  unto  the  sound  of  a  kettle 
drum,  and  beat  out  a  tremendous  high  Dutch  oath,  that  we 
care  not  to  repeat.  But  this  transient  excitement  past,  the 
usual  monotony  again  prevailed  ;  until  in  passing  the  Nan- 
tasket  road,  a  vessel  hove  in  sight,  and  as  soon  as  they  were 


344  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

near  enough,  Captain  Van  Schiller  hauled  in  his  sails  and 
prepared  to  speak  with  her.  She  was  from  Plymouth,  bound 
to  Boston  ;  and  Major  Atherton  had  the  satisfaction  to  receive  a 
packet  of  letters  from  his  friends,  which  he  hastened  to  pe- 
ruse, when  the  vessel  was  again  under  way.  The  envelope 
contained  a  letter  from  Mr.  Winslow,  and  one  from  Captain 
Standish,  but  as  their  contents  are  not  very  important  or  inter- 
esting, we  shall  pass  them  over,  and  lay  before  our  readers 
the  following  from  Peregrine  White,  which  was  enclosed  in 
the  Governor's. 

TO  MAJOR  EDWARD  ATHERTON. 

DEAR  MAJOR, 

I  have  been  trying  for  these  four  months  past,  that  is,  ever 
since  you  left  Plymouth,  to  write  a  letter  to  you  ;  but  I  know 
not  how  it  is,  I  am  not  very  familiar  with  my  pen,  and  have 
kept  putting  it  off,  till  I  have  a  world  of  news  to  tell  you,  and 
can  wait  no  longer.  Let  me  think,  what  shall  I  begin  with. 
But  I  must  first  ask  if  you  saw  Miriam  Grey  when  she  was 
in  Boston  ?  I  need  not  ask  though,  for  I  will  be  bound  you 
found  her  out  before  she  had  been  there  an  hour.  I  hope  the 
pretty  damsel  was  more  kind  to  you  than  before  you  left 
Plymouth  ;  for  though  we  could  get  nothing  out  of  her  or  Mr. 
Weldon  about  the  matter,  it  was  easy  to  guess  the  reason  of 
your  flying  off  so,  almost  without  saying  good-bye  to  your 
best  friends.  Now,  Major,  you  always  laugh  at  me  for  think- 
ing I  have  a  deal  of  penetration  ;  but  I  saw  plainly  how  mat- 
ters stood  with  you  long  ago  ;  and  I  well  know  it  is  all  owing 
to  that  grim  father  of  hers  that  you  and  Miriam  are  separated, 
for  she  too,  poor  thing,  looked  as  wan  and  drooping  as  a  pond 
lily,  after  you  went  away.  I  wonder  wherein  was  the  use  of 
people's  coming  over  to  this  savage  wilderness,  for  the  sake 
of  liberty  of  conscience,  as  they  call  it,  if  they  will  not  allow 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  345 

any  one  to  think  differently  from  themselves,  now  they  are 
here,  nor  to  marry  whom  they  choose,  and  be  happy  if  they 
can.  But  only  think  of  Miriam's  being  in  Connecticut  at  this 
dreadful  time, — foolish  girl  that  she  is  !  I  expect  every  day 
to  hear  you  have  gone  to  look  after  her,  and  that  you  have 
killed  as  many  savages  as  Samson  did  Philistines — though  I 
think  you  must  have  something  sharper  than  the  jaw-bone  of 
an  ass  to  make  way  with  such  hardened  wretches.  Well, 
perhaps  I  shall  see  you  there,  for  our  court  have  agreed  to 
send  forward  fifty  men  to  help  the  Connecticut  people;  and 
after  much  persuasion,  my  father  has  consented  to  let  me  go 
with  them  ;  my  dear  mother  distressed  herself  bitterly  about 
it  for  a  time,  but  is  now  more  reconciled.  What  do  you  think 
Captain  Standish  says  about  me  ?  why  that  I  shall  not  have 
courage  to  stand  fire  unless  I  am  cased  up  to  the  eyes  in  steel 
— so  I  asked  him  to  lend  me  his  coat  of  mail  which  has  kept 
him  in  life  so  long — though  in  truth,  I  think  it  would  hardly 
cover  my  legs.  Our  friend  Benjamin  Ashly  is  going  too,  if 
you  can  believe  it — I  wish  it  might  be  as  chaplain,  or  I  fear 
he  will  have  more  arrows  in  his  back  than  he  can  well  stop 
to  pick  out.  I  wish  you  had  seen  him  the  other  day  when  I 
met  him  with  a  long  face,  and  asked  him  if  he  had  heard  that 
Miriam  Grey  was  scalped  by  a  horrible  Indian  !  He  stood, 
for  all  the  world,  like  Lot's  pillar  of  salt,  and  half  afraid  he 
was  really  changing,  I  made  haste  to  comfort  him  by  saying, 
'  Pluck  up  courage,  friend ;  it  has  not  happened  yet,  and  I 
will  warrant  you  Major  Atherton  takes  good  care  that  not  a 
hair  of  her  head  is  harmed.'  So  he  turned  away  from  me 
too  angry  to  say  a  word. 

But  now  I  must  tell  you  what  I  intended  at  the  first;  but 
some  how  or  other  I  have  an  unfortunate  way  of  saying  what- 
ever happens  to  come  uppermost,  which  often  leads  me  astray 
from  my  subject.  Did  Miriam  tell  you — though  it  is  not 


346  PEEP  AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 

likely  she  did — that  Mr.  Calvert  left  Plymouth  soon  after  you 
went  away,  and  every  body  says  because  she  would  not  marry 
him  and  go  to  Virginia.  Well,  as  his  vessel  was  not  quite 
ready  to  sail,  he  went  to  pass  a  week  or  two  with  Captain 
Standish,  who  it  seems  took  a  great  liking  to  him.  It  so  hap- 
pened that  while  he  was  there  the  Captain  saw  by  chance  a 
comely  young  damsel,  and  thinking,  as  well  he  might,  that  it 
was  '  not  good  for  man  to  be  alone,'  he  resolved  in  his  mind 
the  means  of  taking  her  unto  himself  for  wife.  But  as  it  is 
long  since  his  courting  days,  I  suppose  the  good  man  felt  a 
little  awkward  at  the  business,  being  more  accustomed  to  slash- 
ing up  Indians  than  making  fine  speeches,  such  as  win 
pretty  women  ;  and  so  in  imitation  of  ancient  Isaac  he  resolv- 
ed to  send  forward  a  herald  to  speak  the  word  for  him.  I 
have  ever  since  thought  he  would  have  done  well  if  he  had 
chosen  me,  who  would  doubtless  have  proved  a  trusty  agent ; 
but  instead  thereof  he  selected  Calvert,  who  was  at  his"  house, 
and  well  able  to  argue  fluently  on  any  side  of  the  question, 
right  or  wrong.  So  he  repaired  to  the  damsel,  full  armed  with 
instructions  ;  but  alas  !  who  can  foresee  the  caprices  of  love  ? 
When  he  had  finished  pleading  the  Captain's  cause,  the 
maiden  turned  her  bewitching  eyes  upon  him,  and  said  with 
sweet  simplicity, 

'  Prithee  why  do  you  not  speak  for  yourself? ' 

'  Would  you,'  answered  Calvert,  '  prefer  me,  an  unknown 
stranger,  to  the  brave  Captain  whose  name  is  renowned  all 
over  the  world  for  his  deeds  of  courage  ? ' 

'  Ten  to  one,'  replied  the  damsel,  with  a  smile  and  a  blush. 

Now  the  rest  of  their  conference  is  unknown,  and  this  has 
leaked  out  unawares ;  but  it  was  doubtless  settled  to  the  satis- 
faction of  both,  for  Calvert  returned  to  Captain  Standish  to 
confess  the  strange  result  of  the  business,  and  arrange  his 
affairs ;  and  it  is  whispered  that  your  valiant  kinsman  flew 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  347 

into  a  most  violent  passion,  and  that  very  night  turned  him  out 
of  doors.  I  will  not  vouch  for  the  truth  of  all  this,  being 
very  cautious  about  spreading  reports, — but  be  that  as  it  may, 
before  noon  on  the  following  day,  Mr.  Calvert  put  his  bride 
and  other  commodities  on  board  the  vessel,  and  sailed  from 
Plymouth,  probably  forever. 

Now  isn't  this  a  very  droll  affair,  Major  ?  I  have  laughed 
incessantly  about  it,  and  the  other  night  actually  waked  up  in 
a  roar,  to  the  great  alarm  of  my  mother,  who  came  running 
into  the  chamber  to  see  if  I  had  lost  my  wits.  I  could  only 
cry  out,  '  The  Captain,  mother — that  was  a  sly  trick  of  the 
girl's,' — and  half  provoked  she  said — '  Foolish  boy,  go  to 
sleep,' — and  left  me,  almost  as  much  amused  as  myself.  The 
best  of  all  is,  no  one  dares  to  speak  openly  of  the  matter,  lest 
the  Captain  should  serve  him  as  he  did  the  sachem  Wittu- 
wamet;  and  indeed  he  holds  up  his  head  so  boldly,  that  peo- 
ple are  half  inclined  to  believe  it  was  all  a  trick  of  Calvert's 
to  amuse  and  astonish  the  world.  I  ventured  one  day  to  al- 
lude to  it  before  the  Captain  ;  but  his  eyes  flashed  fire,  and  he 
touched  his  sword  with  such  a  menacing  gesture,  that  in  good 
truth  I  was  glad  to  retreat  as  well  as  I  could. 

Now,  dear  Major,  I  think  it  is  time  to  draw  this  letter  to  a 
conclusion,  and  I  dare  say  you  are  of  the  same  opinion  ;  it  is 
certainly  the  longest  I  ever  wrote,  for  my  credit's  sake  I  will 
not  say  the  best.  As  for  the  rest  of  the  good  people  of  Plym- 
outh, I  believe  they  go  pretty  much  as  when  you  were  here. 
Your  old  acquaintance,  Mistress  Gilbert,  has  been  very  busy 
in  talking  about  tbe  Captain's  affair  ;  and  I  wish  in  my  heart 
he  could  hear  of  it,  and  give  her  one  sound  dressing  that 
should  frighten  her  out  of  her  gossiping,  for  a  time  at  least. — 
Her  good  friend,  and  your  admirer,  Mistress  Rebecca  Spindle, 
is  as  interesting  as  ever ;  she  enquired  after  you  the  other 
day  with  a  sweet  simper  which  would  certainly  have  won 


348  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

your  heart,  had  you  been  an  eye-witness  to  it,  though  by  the 
way,  I  believe  she  is  laying  siege  to  Master  Ashly's  heart, 
since  he  has  been  forced  to  give  up  his  pretensions  to  Miri- 
am. I  hear  she  tells  him  that  giddy  young  girls  are  always 
fond  of  flirting,  and  there  can  be  no  reliance  placed  on  them 
till  they  arrive  at  years  of  discretion,  at  her  age  for  instance; 
and  more  than  once,  if  report  speaks  truth,  she  has  enticed 
him  to  walk  home  with  her  from  a  prayer  meeting.  '  Here 
is  gossip,'  you  will  say,  '  equal  to  Mistress  Gilbert's  !  '  Nev- 
er mind  Major  ;  it  is  a  glorious  privilege  of  our  sex  to 
detail  news  and  scandal,  and  remark  on  people  and  things 
as  we  think  proper,  without  the  reproach  of  gossiping, 
which  is  a  term  exclusively  feminine,  and  long  may  it  con- 
tinue so  ! 

No  news  have  been  heard  lately  from  Mr.  Grey ;  but  he  is 
expected  to  return  in  the  course  of  a  month  or  two.  I  beg 
you,  to  destroy  this  foolish  letter  for  more  reasons  than  one. 
My  mother  desires  to  be  remembered  to  you  and  so  would 
my  father  did  he  not  intend  to  write  himself.  I  hope  he  will 
not  look  into  this  sheet,  for  he  would  never  let  me  send  you 
so  much  nonsense. 

Farewell,  dear  Major,  and  believe  me  your  sincere  friend, 

PEREGRINE  WHITE. 
Plymouth,  March  6th,  1637. 

Major  Atherton  folded  the  letter  with  a  smile  when  he  had 
finished  reading  it,  much  amused  by  the  contents  so  charac- 
teristic of  his  gay  young  friend ;  but  not  a  little  perplexed 
with  that  part  of  it  which  related  to  his  kinsman.  We  shall 
not  stake  our  credit  as  historians  by  insisting  on  the  truth  of 
that  report ;  though  tradition  has  handed  it  down  to  us  with 
an  accuracy  which  in  our  minds  admits  no  doubt  of  its  authen- 
ticity. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  349 

It  would  be  tedious  in  the  extreme  to  follow  the  slow  pro- 
gress of  Captain  Van  Schiller's  vessel,  which  in  open  defiance 
of  Dutch  canvass,  continued  to  drift  along  with  the  tide,  rath- 
er than  obey  the  impulse  of  the  winds, — which  to  speak  truth 
were  sometimes  in  a  wrong  direction,  and  it  was  therefore  not 
until  the  fourth  day  from  leaving  Boston,  that  they  entered 
the  inland  sea  now  called  Long  Island  sound,  and  without  one 
perilous  adventure  to  give  a  zest  to  their  irksome  voyage. — 
Major  Atherton's  patience  was  spun  out  to  a  mere  cobweb  ; 
he  wondered  that  the  sun  could  smile  so  cheeringly  and  the 
south  send  forth  her  softest  breezes  to  dally  with  their  use- 
less sails;  and  the  moon  shine  with  such  unwonted  brilliance 
on  the  waveless  ocean,  and  the  fairy  isles,  which  ever  and 
anon  spotted  its  surface  and  seemed  putting  on  a  deeper  green, 
and  budding  into  beauty  as  they  approached  nearer  to  the  re- 
gions of  the  sun.  Yet  at  times  he  yielded  to  the  serene  and 
balmy  influence  of  nature,  then  in  the  youth  and  loveliness  of 
that  genial  season,  which  has  so  long  awaked  the  poet's  song 
and  inspired  the  lover's  dream  ;  and  often  in  the  freshness  of 
morning  and  the  stillness  of  the  night  watches,  with  the  flag- 
eolet, his  only  companion,  he  '  discoursed  most  excellent  mu- 
sic,' mingling  its  sweet  tones  with  the  ripple  of  the  waters, 
and  creating  strains  which  in  the  golden  age  might  have  call- 
ed the  sea-nymphs  from  their  caves  to  listen. 

It  was  however  with  very  pleasant  emotions  that  he  at 
length  understood  they  were  approaching  the  mouth  of  Con- 
necticut river  ;  though  he  observed  they  still  bore  off  towards 
the  coast  of  Manhattan,  which  lay  in  full,  though  distant  pros- 
pect, instead  of  the  opposite  shore  to  which  they  were  destin- 
ed. The  Captain  complained  of  the  wind  as  the  grand  mov- 
er of  this  crooked  navigation ;  but  Atherton  remarked  that 
there  was  scarcely  enough  to  swell  the  sails  and  insisted  that 
he  would  no  longer  be  subjected  to  such  provoking  delays. — 
30 


PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 


Captain  Van  Schiller  listened  to  him  without  either  surprise 
or  anger  ;  and  when  he  had  done  speaking,  leisurely  knocked 
the  ashes  from  his  pipe,  and  carefully  replacing  it  in  his  huge 
waistcoat  pocket,  replied, — 

'  Very  well,  mynheer,  we  will  see  what  can  be  done ;'  and, 
on  this  benevolent  errand,  he  stubbed  away  to  hold  a  confer- 
ence with  the  helmsman.  Nearly  half  the  day,  however, 
was  consumed  in  total  inaction,  notwithstanding  the  contin- 
ued remonstrances  of  Major  Atherton,  but  the  appearance  of 
a  small  vessel  approaching  from  the  Connecticut  shore,  at 
length,  inspired  even  Dutchmen  with  momentary  animation. 
When  within  speaking  distance,  they  hailed  her,  and  were 
answered  in  their  own  language  ;  which  was  so  delectable  a 
sound  to  their  sensitive  countrymen,  that  they  set  up  a  shout 
of  exultation,  which  might  have  been  heard  on  the  ramparts 
of  Fort  Orange.  The  two  Captains  then  entered  into  a  long 
parley,  and  from  their  earnest  gesticulations,  Atherton  judged 
they  were  discussing  a  subject  of  some  importance.  As  soon 
as  their  conference  was  ended  the  small  vessel  again  hoisted 
her  sails  and  with  enviable  speed  pursued  her  destined  course. 
Captain  Van  Schiller  then  called  his  men  together,  and  re- 
mained for  some  time  engaged  in  conversation  with  them, 
which  Atherton  in  vain  endeavored  to  comprehend  j  but  the 
result,  whatever  it  was,  seemed  decisive  ;  the  men  engaged 
with  unusual  activity  in  their  labors,  and  Atherton,  for  the  first 
time,  suspected  they  were  deceiving  him,  and  demanded  of 
the  Captain,  an  explanation  of  his  conduct. 

That  worthy  son  of  Neptune,  apparently  exhausted  by  his 
late  exertions,  was  drowsily  reclining  in  his  usual  place  of 
repose,  with  a  countenance  as  stagnant  as  one  of  his  own  ca- 
nals ;  but  which  began  faintly  to  glimmer  into  life,  as  Ather- 
ton, with  rather  less  than  his  usual  courtesy,  made  the  need- 
ful inquiries.  Captain  Van  Schiller  was  lost  in  meditation  for 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  351 

a  moment,  while  a  dense  column  of  smoke  rolled  from  his 
mouth,  which  Atherton  stepped  back  to  avoid,  and  then  grave- 
ly answered,  that  the  master  of  the  vessel  they  had  just  spok- 
en with,  whom  he  knew  to  be  a  man  of  veracity,  had  given 
him  such  accounts  of  the  numbers  and  ferocity  of  the  Pequod 
Indians,  that  he  considered  it  hazardous  to  venture  near  the 
coast :  that  they  were  continually  out  in  their  canoes  watch- 
ing for  the  English,  and  other  boats ;  that  his  vessel  sailed 
but  slowly  at  the  best ;  and  being  only  defended  by  one  swiv- 
el which,  moreover,  was  out  of  order,  neither  he,  nor  his  peo- 
ple thought  it  prudent  to  run  the  risk  of  being  scalped,  or 
roasted  alive,  and,  perhaps  devoured,  like  fat  oxen,  for  those 
barbarians  actually  ate  their  prisoners,  as  greedily  as  a  mouse 
would  swallow  a  bit  of  toasted  cheese  :  and  he  finally  conclud- 
ed by  declaring  that,  though  he  had  as  much  courage  as  most 
people,  and  perhaps  might  be  induced  to  adventure  his  own 
life,  yet  his  crew,  one  and  all,  had  resolved  not  to  go  in  the 
way  of  such  heathenish  dogs,  but  to  return  with  all  conven- 
ient speed  to  Fort  Amsterdam. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  indignant  surprise  of  Major  Ath- 
erton, at  this  unexpected  declaration  :  and  in  the  resentment 
of  the  moment,  he  asserted  that  the  most  unpardonable  cow- 
ardice and  perfidy  could  alone  have  instigated  such  an  unwar- 
rantable infraction  of  their  treaty.  Captain  Van  Schiller  lis- 
tened to  his  reproaches  with  a  kind  of  blank  astonishment ; 
for  he  had  not  dreamed  that  any  one  could  be  so  unreasona- 
ble as  to  object  against  the  prudence  of  his  measures  ;  and 
even  when  he  had  finished  speaking,  continued  to  regard  him 
with  that  perplexed  and  stupid  wonder  with  which  a  clown 
is  wont  to  admire  the  marvelous  feats  of  legerdemain.  But 
with  the  utmost  calmness,  he  presently  resumed  his  pipe,  and 
Atherton,  provoked  that  he  could  excite  neither  remorse  nor 
anger  in  his  phlegmatic  companion,  had  recourse  alternately 


352  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

to  threats  and  entreaties,  to  induce  compliance  with  his  agree- 
ment. All,  however,  proved  ineffectual ;  Captain  Van  Schil- 
ler possessed  the  virtue  of  self-command  to  an  astonishing  de- 
gree, and  nothing  could  move  his  passions,  nor  would  any 
thing  shake  the  determined  obstinacy  of  his  disposition,  which 
once  resolved,  whether  right  or  wrong,  was  as  immovable  as 
the  foundations  of  the  earth. 

Major  Atherton  had  no  doubt  that  the  sailors  were  influ- 
enced by  their  Captain  on  this  subject ;  but  his  ignorance  of 
their  language  rendered  it  impossible  to  argue  with  them,  or 
even  to  discover  their  real  feelings  ;  and  sensible  that  he  had 
no  hope  of  redress,  with  sensations  of  bitter  disappointment  he 
resigned  himself  to  his  perverse  destiny,  and  during  the  re- 
mainder of  the  voyage  continued  in  a  state  of  gloomy  abstrac- 
tion. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  353 


CHAPTER     XXV. 

And  the  sound 

Of  axe  and  dashing  oar,  and  fisher's  net, 
And  song  beguiling  toil,  and  pastoral  pipe 
Were  heard,  where  late  the  solitary  hills 
Gave  only  to  the  mountain  cataract 
Their  wild  response. 

SOUTHET. 

MAJOR  ATHERTON  was  at  length  roused  from  his  painful  rev- 
erie, by  an  unwonted  bustle  among  the  crew,  which  announc- 
ed their  near  approach  to  the  capital  of  the  Manhadoes  ;  while 
each  one  with  a  confused  murmur  of  delight,  and  a  counte- 
nance that  manifested  the  most  complacent  satisfaction,  turn- 
ed to  catch  the  first  view  of  the  fair  city  of  New  Amsterdam. 
As  yet,  however,  the  clumsy  dome  of  St.  Nicholas'  church 
and  a  tall  flag-staff,  surmounted  by  the  colors  of  the  Prince  of 
Orange,  flapping  idly  in  the  wind,  were  alone  perceptible; — 
and  Atherton,  with  listless  curiosity  turned  his  eyes  towards 
them,  though  inwardly  persuaded  that,  circumstanced  as  he 
was,  nothing  could  excite  an  emotion  of  interest  or  pleasure. 
But  as  they  gradually  approached  the  shore,  every  sensation 
of  resentful  disappointment  became  absorbed  in  delight  and 
admiration ;  and  the  charms  of  nature  resumed  their  accus- 
tomed influence  over  his  imagination  and  feelings. 

The  ancient  islands  of  Manhattan  broken  into  hills  and 
valleys,  exhibited  the  variety  and  luxuriance  of  primeval  na- 
ture, and  its  silent  shores  where  now  the  sounds  of  business 
and  of  pleasure  are  ever  heard,  were  fringed  with  lofty  for- 
ests, then  unfolding  their  tender  buds,  and  mingling  a  thous- 
and hues  from  the  pale  tints  of  the  trembling  aspen,  to  the 
30* 


854  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

dark  foliage  of  the  mournful  cypress.  Full  in  view  the  ex- 
pansive waters  of  the  Bay  were  slumbering  in  a  glorious  sun- 
set, studded  with  numerous  isles,  and  bounded  by  scenes  of 
wild  and  romantic  loveliness.  New  Amsterdam,  the  humble 
beginning  of  the  now  gay  and  commercial  city  of  New  York, 
occupied  a  commanding  situation  on  the  verge  of  a  fruitful 
island,  encircled  by  the  Hudson  and  East  rivers,  and  present- 
ed a  truly  picturesque  and  novel  appearance.  At  that  early 
period  it  certainly  made  no  pretensions  to  the  grand  or  beau- 
tiful ;  but  it  was  distinguished  by  an  air  of  neatness,  pecu- 
liar to  the  Dutch  settlements,  and  the  houses,  uncouth  as  they 
appeared,  with  their  projecting  roofs,  their  fronts  of  black  and 
yellow  tile,  and  other  ingenious  devices  for  show  and  orna- 
ment, looked  substantial  and  comfortable,  and  were  in 
general  shaded  by  forest  trees,  which  gave  an  agreeable  re- 
lief to  the  eye,  while  it  afforded  a  grateful  shelter  from  the 
sun. 

Captain  Van  Schiller's  broad  countenance  was  enlivened 
with  something  like  a  smile,  as  he  remarked  the  evident  pleas- 
ure of  Major  Atherton  ;  and  probably  believing  it  excited  by 
admiration  of  the  superior  taste  and  ingenuity  of  his  country- 
men, he  continually  followed  the  direction  of  his  eyes,  to  dis- 
cover what  object  was  next  to  meet  his  approbation.  Ather- 
ton on  his  part,  so  far  forgot  his  late  resentment,  as  to  ask 
many  questions,  respecting  the  condition  of  the  Colony,  which 
the  Captain  willingly  answered  to  the  best  of  his  abilities, 
though  he  proved  far  less  clear  in  his  ideas  on  that  subject,  or 
at  least  less  fluent  in  his  speech,  than  when  descanting  on  the 
points  of  architectural  beauty  displayed  in  the  church  of  his 
patron  saint,  and  the  impenetrable  strength  of  their  redoubt- 
able mud  fortress.  At  length,  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  on 
board,  the  vessel  anchored  at  a  little  distance  from  the  fort, 
and  amidst  a  crowd  of  men,  women,  children,  and  dogs,  Ma- 


PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  355 

jor  Atherton  landed  in  the  western  dominions  of  their  high 
Dutch  mightiness. 

Captain  Van  Schiller  soon  discovered,  in  this  motley  group, 
his  own  Goede  Vrouw,  or  good  woman,  who  with  her  daugh- 
ter, a  pretty,  plump  lass  of  sixteen,  was  hastening  to  meet  and 
welcome  his  return.  On  seeing  her  long  absent  lord,  the 
worthy  dame  sprang  forward  with  an  alacrity  quite  astonish- 
ing, considering  her  dimensions  ;  and,  with  becoming  grati- 
tude for  this  active  proof  of  her  affection,  the  spouse  rewarded 
her  with  a  hearty  kiss,  which  exploded  like  a  signal  gun  from 
the  battery  of  Fort  Amsterdam.  Atherton  was  rather  star- 
tled by  this  public  display  of  conjugal  felicity,  which  was 
however  conducted  with  extreme  gravity ;  but  as  he  was  in 
the  act  of  retiring  from  the  crowd,  the  Captain  grasped  him 
firmly  by  a  button  of  his  coat  with  one  hand,  while  with  the 
other  he  dragged  forward  his  blushing  daughter,  who  on  see- 
ing a  stranger  with  her  father,  had  hung  back  behind  the  am- 
ple folds  of  her  mother's  petticoat. 

'  Come  hither,  Gertrude,'  he  said,  taking  her  in  his  arms, 
and  saluting  both  cheeks,  '  dunder  and  blixum,  girl,  you  are 
not  afraid  of  a  young  soldier,  are  you?  '  and  with  a  sort  of 
chuckle  he  swung  her  round,  and  then  set  her  down  on  her 
feet  again.  For  an  instant,  however,  she  appeared  so  dizzy, 
that  Atherton  felt  obliged  to  offer  her  the  support  of  his  arm ; 
but  she  tacitly  declined  it,  and  only  expressed  her  thanks  by 
a  low  courtesy,  without  even  looking  in  his  face  ;  though,  a 
moment  after,  when  unobserved,  she  ventured  to  steal  a  glance 
at  him,  from  the  corners  of  her  large  dark  eyes.  But  the  mothr 
er  had  examined  him  more  attentively,  and  whispered  Ger- 
trude to  '  hold  up  her  head  like  a  woman,  and  not  feel  asham- 
ed to  be  seen  ;'  while,  by  dint  of  twitching  her  good  man's 
sleeve,  and  the  aid  of  an  audible  whisper,  accompanied  with 
expressive  gesture?,  she  at  length  made  him  comprehend  her 


356  PEEP    AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 

wish  to  have  Atherton  invited  home  with  them.  The  invita- 
tion was  accordingly  given  in  due  form,  by  the  obedient  hus- 
band ;  but  Atherton  thought  proper  to  decline  their  hospi- 
tality, and  soon  after  took  leave  of  them,  and  repaired  to  a 
public  house,  where  he  fortunately  found  neat  and  convenient 
accommodations. 

A  week  passed  away,  and  still  Major  Atherton  saw  no  pros- 
pect of  speedily  accomplishing  his  designs.  The  Dutch  of 
New  Amsterdam  were  a  cautious  people,  and  cared  not  to  ad- 
venture life,  limb,  or  property,  without  a  certain  hope  of  ad- 
vantage ;  therefore,  their  trading  vessels,  which  used  to  make 
frequent  voyages  to  Connecticut,  were  sent  to  other  ports  or 
lay  at  anchor  in  the  Bay,  waiting  for  more  certain  informa- 
tion respecting  the  hostile  Indians.  They  had  still  a  large 
range  of  navigable  country  open  to  their  vessels,  from  fort 
Orange,  on  the  Hudson,  the  ancient  Aurania,  and  present 
city  of  Albany,  to  fort  Nassau,  on  the  Delaware,  which  they 
held  in  the  name  of  the  States-General,  and  carried  on  a  lu- 
crative traffic  with  the  natives.  Their  perseverance  and  in- 
dustry had  brought  the  colony  into  considerable  repute  ;  and 
the  English,  who  always  regarded  them  as  mere  intruders, 
had  already  made  several  efforts  to  alienate  their  possessions 
from  the  Dutch  government,  and  attach  them  to  the  domin- 
ions of  their  own  king,  who  they  insisted  was  the  rightful 
proprietor.  But  the  Dutch  perversely  maintained  a  contrary 
opinion,  and  in  despite  of  occasional  menaces  from  their 
neighbors, — who  however  found  it  enough  to  take  care  of 
themselves, — they  continued  to  enjoy  for  many  years, 
their  own  language,  customs  and  laws,  in  their  native 
purity  and  perfection.  It  is  true,  they  had  been  sorely  ag- 
grieved by  certain  of  the  Massachusetts'  folk,  who  seized  the 
goodly  lands  of  Connecticut,  which  they  intended  to  improve  for 
their  own  advantage;  and  when  they  had  already  erected  a  fort, 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  357 

which  they  called  the  Huise  or  fort  of  Good  Hope,  and  planted 
two  pieces  of  artillery  on  what  is  the  present  site  of  Hartford. 
But  they  had  the  mortification  of  seeing  their  flag  insulted, 
first,  by  the  people  of  Plymouth,  who  refused  to  strike  their 
colors  to  it,  and  disdaining  their  threats,  sailed  boldly  past, 
and  setup  a  trading  house,  well  defended  from  all  hostile  at- 
tacks ;  and  last,  though  not  least,  a  roving  congregation  from. 
the  Massachusetts,  sat  quietly  down,  under  the  very  muzzles 
of  their  guns,  and  built  around  them  an  orderly  and  fair  vil- 
lage, which  crowded  them  out  of  their  strong  hold  ;  and,  by 
persuasion  and  a  show  of  strength,  they  were  finally  induced 
to  give  up  all  their  claims  to  the  country; — very  prudently 
considering,  that  they  could  not  substantiate,  and  were  too 
weak  to  contend  for  them.  Whether  the  remembrance  of 
these  alledged  wrongs  continued  to  rankle  in  their  breasts,  it  is 
impossible  to  determine  ;  they  however  carried  on  a  friendly 
commerce  with  the  English  colonies,  but  showed  no  disposition 
to  interfere  in  their  quarrels, — even  in  the  decisive  struggle 
with  the  Pequods.  Kieft,  then  Governor  of  the  New  Nether- 
lands, preserved  a  strict  neutrality.  The  people  in  general, 
imitated  the  peaceable  disposition  of  their  ruler ;  feeling  it 
more  safe  to  smoke  their  pipes  at  home,  than  to  seek  for  un- 
certain laurels  in  a  land  of  savages, — with  no  prospect  of  ad- 
vantage, but,  on  the  contrary,  at  the  risk  of  involving  them- 
selves in  difficulties,  and  perhaps  provoking  the  vengeance  of 
the  natives. 

Thus  circumstanced,  Major  Atherton  met  with  little  sym- 
pathy, and  it  was  in  vain  that  he  occupied  his  mind  in  form- 
ing plans  to  prosecute  his  enterprise,  which  he  constantly 
found  it  impossible  to  execute.  The  inhabitants  of  New  Am- 
sterdam, however  seemed  to  regard  him  with  favor,  and  ex-^ 
erled  themselves,  with  wonderful  alacrity,  to  render  his  resi- 
dence in  their  city  agreeable.  The  houses  of  the  most  respect- 


358  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

able  citizens  were  courteously  opened  to  him,  and  he  was  at 
all  times,  welcome  to  attach  himself  to  the  family  circle, — look 
at  the  good  man,  while  with  the  most  contemplative  air  imag- 
inable, he  regaled  himself  with  his  huge  pipe  of  tobacco,  and 
with  apparent  delight  puffed  the  smoke  from  his  mouth,  like 
vapor  from  a  steam  vessel; — and  listen  to  the  conversation  of 
his  more  loquacious  dame,  who  good-humoredly  amused  him 
with  family  details,  not  omitting  occasional  remarks  on  the 
affairs  of  the  neighborhood,  which,  in  her  zeal  for  the  public 
good,  were  generally  regarded  with  extreme  interest.  The 
daughters,  with  commendable  industry,  usually  sat  apart,  as 
demure  as  the  household  cats,  exercising  their  genius  in  gar- 
nishing and  repairing  the  family  garments  ;  being  taught  by 
their  prudent  mothers  to  win  hearts  and  husbands, — not  by 
an  unfeminine  propensity  to  talking, — but  by  the  dexterous 
use  of  their  fingers,  in  which  consists  the  true  excellence  of 
woman. 

Atherton  soon  found  it  was  worse  than  useless  to  com- 
plain ;  if,  by  chance,  an  impatient  wish  escaped  him,  the  peo- 
ple looked  at  him,  and  each  other,  as  if  struck  with  doubts  of 
his  sanity  ;  for  they  really  believed  none  but  a  madman,  or 
one  perversely  discontented,  could  reject  the  charming  tran- 
quillity of  New  Amsterdam,  where  there  was  every  thing  that 
heart  could  wish — that  is,  enough  to  eat  and  drink, — not  for- 
getting the  grand  inspirer  of  felicity, — tobacco, — and  time  to 
smoke  and  sleep,  and  an  abundance  of  raiment  to  put  on  : — 
in  fine,  nothing  but  a  few  straight  ditches  were  wanting  to 
render  it  a  complete  Dutch  paradise.  The  people  too,  were 
sober  and  industrious,  well  pleased  to  tread  in  the  steps  of 
their  forefathers,  and  never  prying  into  things  that  did  not 
concern  them,  nor  dabbling  in  vain  experiments,  and  seeking 
out  new  inventions,  which  bring  trouble  and  ruin  on  so  many 
young  provinces,  and  old  ones  too.  It  was,  therefore,  beyond 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  359 

their  comprehension,  that  any  man  should  think  of  leaving 
such  a  place,  to  embroil  himself  with  the  horrible  Indians, 
who  scalped  and  murdered  every  thing  they  could  lay  their 
dingy  hands  upon — and  all  to  aid  the  restive  Massachusetts' 
people,  who,  the  Governor  had  been  heard  to  say,  were  not 
much  better  than  ravages  themselves  ;  for  had  they  not  driven 
away  the  peace-loving  Dutch,  and  planted  fields,  and  built 
villages,  where  they  had  intended  to  plant  and  build,  if  time 
had  been  given  them  ?  Indeed,  it  was  more  than  once  sug- 
gested in  a  secret  council  of  thrifty  burghers,  that  those  en- 
croaching colonists  might,  on  some  luckless  day  invade  their 
fair  capital,  if  the  cautious  rulers  of  the  land,  did  not  avert 
their  designs,  by  building  dykes,  and  cutting  canals  to  defend 
it,  after  the  most  approved  fashion  of  their  ancestors.  Unfor- 
tunately however,  the  inequalities  of  this  new  country,  use- 
lessly heaped  into  hills,  and  scooped  out  into  valleys,  opposed 
obstacles  to  their  plan,  which  had  never  puzzled  the  brains  of 
their  countrymen  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  where  the 
beautiful  swamps  were  perfectly  free  from  such  incumbrances, 
and  seemed  moulded  by  nature  to  suit  their  peculiar  genius. 

Major  Atherton,  therefore,  very  philosophically  resolved  to 
endure  with  patience  what  could  not  be  avoided,  and  to  con- 
fine his  useless  regrets  to  his  own  bosom, — and  many  a  soli- 
tary hour  was  given  to  their  indulgence.  But  in  public  he 
was  ever  gay  and  courteous,  and  by  his  affability,  the  cheer- 
fulness with  which  he  entered  into  the  feelings  of  the  old,  and 
the  amusements  of  the  young, — he  soon  became  a  prodigious 
favorite,  particularly  with  the  ancient  ladies,  to  whose  length- 
ened discourse,  with  the  deference  due  to  their  sex,  and  the  gal- 
lantry of  a  young  soldier,  he  would  listen  with  the  utmost  po- 
liteness, though  it  is  true  their  language  was  not  always  quite 
intelligible,  and  his  thoughts  were  generally  afar  off.  But  the 
plump  little  divinities  of  the  city  were  so  enamored  with  his 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 


attentions  that  their  round-headed  admirers  began  to  find 
themselves  slighted  by  their  fair  mistresses,  and  in  the  height 
of  their  alarm,  might  perhaps  have  been  induced  to  convey 
the  intruder  from  their  shores,  if  circumstances  had  not  oc- 
curred to  render  it  useless  ; — though  they  most  uncharitably 
persisted  in  ascribing  his  success,  not  to  any  superiority  on  his 
part,  but  to  that  perverse  love  of  novelty,  which  it  is  said 
clings  to  woman  through  all  the  changes  of  her  capricious 
life. 

Major  Atherton  was  a  frequent  guest  at  the  house  of  Cap- 
tain Van  Schiller,  and  the  idle  world,  which  cares  not  whether 
it  speaks  truth  or  falsehood,  presumed  to  say  he  was  allured 
thither  by  the  charms  of  Gertrude,  his  youngest  daughter  ; — 
for  had  not  the  Captain  gone  up  the  Hudson  to  Fort  Orange, 
and  what  else  could  he  be  seeking?  But  Atherton  remained 
ignorant  of  these  suggestions,  and  the  subject  of  them  was 
scarcely  a  moment  in  his  thoughts ;  but  Gertrude  at  that  time 
chanced  to  be  a  reigning  belle,  and  there  was  more  than  one 
gentle  youth,  who  regarded  his  supposed  pretensions  with  a 
jealous  eye.  He  often  met  there  a  young  man  distantly  con- 
nected with  the  family,  whose  frank  and  engaging  manners 
soon  gained  his  entire  confidence  and  esteem.  Hans  Van 
Haarman, — such  was  his  name, — was  a  native  of  Holland  ; 
but  he  had  resided  several  years  in  the  New  Netherlands ; 
and  having  followed  the  profession  of  arms  almost  from  child- 
hood, he  was  soon  after  his  arrival  invested  with  the  command 
of  Fort  Amsterdam,  the  highest  military  rank  which  it  was 
then  in  the  power  of  the  Colony  to  confer.  His  father  had 
served  in  the  Dutch  wars  with  Colonel  Atherton,  with  whom 
he  was  in  habits  of  intimacy  ;  and  this  circumstance  first  in- 
terested the  young  men  in  each  other;  a  similarity  of  situa- 
tion heightened  this  interest,  which  was  daily  strengthened 
by  a  congeniality  of  sentiments  and  characters.  Van  Haar- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  361 

man  inherited  from  his  mother,  a  French  protestant,  the  spirit 
and  vivacity  of  her  country,  which  entirely  preponderated 
over  the  Dutch  prudence  and  phlegm,  otherwise  to  have  been 
expected  from  his  father ;  and  always  yielding  to  first  impres- 
sions he  became  at  once  the  friend  and  intimate  companion  of 
Major  Atherton.  He  opened  his  whole  heart  to  him  without 
reserve,  and  Atherton  soon  learned  from  his  own  lips  that  he 
also  was  a  lover,  and  with  the  consent  of  her  friends  affianced 
to  Maria  Van  Schiller  the  eldest  sister  of  Gertrude,  though 
want  of  fortune,  that  cruel  foe  to  tender  hearts,  had  hitherto 
delayed  the  day  of  happiness ;  and  it  was  still  put  off  to  a 
distant  period  to  the  great  alarm  of  Van  Haarman,  who 
feared  the  worldly  prudence  and  ambition  of  her  father  might 
tempt  him  to  prefer  a  more  wealthy  suitor  for  his  daughter, — 
in  despite  of  the  entreaties  of  Dan  Cupid,  who  represented 
that  lovers  could  live  on  little  or  nothing — a  matter  rather  pro- 
blematical even  in  those  simple  days. 

Atherton  in  return,  disclosed  his  own  hopes,  fears,  and  per- 
plexities without  reserve,  to  Van  Haarman  ;  and  felt  much 
relieved  by  consulting  on  his  future  plans  with  one  who  was 
interested  in  his  behalf,  and  able  to  advise,  and  perhaps  assist 
him.  Van  Haarman,  indeed,  from  the  moment  he  learned  his 
unpleasant  situation,  used  every  exertion  to  procure  him  a  con- 
veyance to  Connecticut ;  he  even  endeavored  to  engage  the 
Governor  in  his  cause,  and  freely  offered  his  own  services  in 
the  undertaking.  Things  however  went  on  but  slowly  ;  Ath- 
erton had  been  a  fortnight  in  New  Amsterdam,  and  Governor 
Kieft,  who  held  his  case  in  consideration  for  a  week,  was  still 
undecided, — when  a  vessel  arrived  in  the  harbor  from  a  long 
voyage',  and  brought  intelligence  which  produced  a  general 
excitement.  The  Captain,  a  bold  and  adventurous  man,  had 
penetrated  through  the  very  ports  of  the  enemy  to  traffic  with 
the  friendly  Indians  ;  and  having  bartered  his  commodities 
31 


362  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

on  advantageous  terms,  was  returning  home,  when  near  the 
mouth  of  the  Pequod  river  he  was  surrounded  by  the  Indians 
in  their  canoes,  and  attacked  with  such  fury,  that  for  a  time 
escape  seemed  almost  impossible.  But  fortunately  the  Dutch 
captain  was  supported  by  a  brave  crew,  who  fought  with  des- 
perate courage,  convinced  that  their  only  alternative  was  cap- 
tivity and  a  death  of  torture  ;  and  after  a  severe  conflict  they 
completely  routed  the  Pequods,  who  retreated  with  all  expe- 
dition, though  not  without  considerable  loss  both  in  killed  and 
prisoners.  The  Dutch  were  not  materially  injured  ;  for  their 
vessel  was  well  armed,  and  the  men  trained  to  action,  which 
gave  them  a  decided  advantage  over  the  undisciplined  fierceness 
of  the  enemy.  The  Captain  also  brought  information  from  un- 
questionable authority,  that  the  Pequods,  driven  from  Say- 
brook  by  the  reinforcement  of  Captain  Mason  and  his  party, 
had  retired  to  the  fort  of  Sassacus,  from  whence  they  issued 
forth  to  ravage  the  country  ;  that  a  body  of  them  had  lately 
surprised  the  people  of  Weathersfield,  while  laboring  in  their 
fields,  and  inhumanly  murdered  several  of  both  sexes,  des- 
troyed numbers  of  their  cattle,  and  carried  two  young  women 
into  captivity. 

These  details  excited  the  utmost  indignation  in  every  breast ; 
and  Major  Atherton,  in  whose  mind  the  image  of  Miriam 
Grey,  was  now  continually  associated  with  scenes  of  danger, 
determined  at  every  hazard,  to  repair  immediately  to  Say- 
brook  fort.  The  idea  that  she  might  already  be  among  the 
slain  or  captives,  at  times  gave  hirn  insupportable  pain  ;  but 
he  consoled  himself  by  reflecting  that  she  could  not  have  been 
near  that  scene  of  outrage,  which  was  several  miles  from  the 
abode  of  Mr.  Weldon.  Still  his  anxiety  was  unremitting; 
and  independent  of  his  personal  feelings,  he  cherished  an  in- 
creased desire  to  assist  his  countrymen  in  freeing  themselves 
from  a  scourge,  which  continually  threatened  their  safety.  He 


PEEP    AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  363 

therefore,  entreated  Van  Haarman  to  use  his  influence  with 
the  Captain  who  had  lately  returned,  to  convey  him  to  the 
Connecticut  shore  ;  and  empowered  him  to  offer  any  reward, 
which  might  ensure  his  services.  But  these  private  arrange- 
ments were  unexpectedly  precluded  by  the  spirited  conduct  of 
Governor  Kieft,  who,  urged  by  many  considerations,  political 
and  personal,  publicly  announced  his  resolution  to  aid  the 
English,  on  this  important  occasion.  Orders  were  issued  to 
the  proper  authorities,  to  prepare  a  vessel  well  armed  and 
manned,  to  sail  immediately  to  the  Pequod  harbor,  to  ransom 
the  captive  maids  at  any  cost,  and  deliver  them  in  safety  to  the 
'English  at  Fort  Saybrook.  Van  Haarman,  at  his  own  desire, 
was  appointed  to  command  the  expedition,  and  the  resentment 
of  the  people,  was  so  generally  roused  against  the  inhuman 
conduct  of  the  Indians,  that  there  were  more  volunteers  than 
could  be  disposed  of  in  the  service. 

On  the  evening  previous  to  their  departure,  Major  Aiherton 
was  honored  by  an  invitation  at  the  Governor's,  where  all  the 
high  mightinesses  of  the  city  were  assembled  in  solemn  state; 
and  his  Lady  on  the  important  and  long  remembered  occasion, 
threw  open  the  doors  of  her  best  parlor, — a  term  analogous 
to  the  drawing-room  of  the  present  day,  into  which  her  guests 
wor,e  seldom  admitted,  except  on  visits  of  great  ceremony. 
All  the  bright-eyed  damsels  of  New  Amsterdam  were  ranged 
in  a  circle  round  it,  like  puppets  in  a  show-box,  each  one  in- 
dustriously engaged  in  accomplishing  some  formidable  piece 
of  workmanship,  from  which  her  attention  was  seldom  with- 
drawn, except  occasionally  to  answer  a  formal  question,  with 
a  still  more  formal  monosyllable.  A  huge  round  table  groan- 
ing under  the  weight  of  good  things  was  at  length  set  forth 
in  tempting  array,  and  happily  afforded  an  opportunity  for  the 
young  men  to  display  their  gallantry,  while  it  enlivened  the 
intellects  of  the  elders,  and  suggested  many  interesting  topics 


364  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

of  discussion,  to  fill  up  the  remainder  of  the  evening,  which 
closed  at  a  seasonable  hour,  in  a  cloud  of  smoke  from  the 
numberless  delft  pipes  which  projected  into  the  room,  and  al- 
most met  in  the  centre.  Each  gallant  then  selected  the  fair 
one,  whom  he  most  admired — if  she  smiled  consent, — and 
without  one  murmur  at  the  trouble  and  distance,  escorted  her 
to  the  door  of  her  dwelling,  and  took  leave  of  her  with  a 
cordial  salute ; — an  agreeable  Dutch  custom,  which  Atherton 
could  by  no  means  excuse  himself  from  following,  when  he 
parted  with  the  pretty  Gertrude,  whom  he  was  allowed  the 
privilege  of  attending  home,  notwithstanding  the  manceuvres 
of  certain  of  her  ci-devant  admirers,  who  were  forthwith 
obliged  to  look  round  for  more  obliging,  if  less  comely  fair 
ones. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  365 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

There  was  speech  in  their  dumbness,  language  in  their  very  gesture ;  they 
looked  as  they  had  heard  of  a  world  ransomed  or  one  destroyed.  A  notable 
passion  of  wonder  appeared  in  them,  but  the  wisest  beholder  that  knew  no 
more  but  seeing,  could  not  say  if  the  importance  were  joy  or  sorrow. 

SHAKSPEARE. 

ON  a  bright  morning-  towards  the  close  of  April,  an  armed 
sloop  weighed  anchor  in  the  harbor  of  New  Amsterdam,  and 
under  a 'salute  of  all  the  guns  in  the  fort,  which  were  fit  for 
use,  answered  by  cheers  from  the  men  on  board,  and  a  mighty 
shout  of  the  multitude  on  shore,  mingled  with  the  barking  of 
curs,  and  the  grunting  of  pigs — it  set  sail  on  the  destined  voy- 
age of  amity  to  the  Pequod  shores.  The  worthies  of  the 
land  regarded  the  stately  bark  with  prodigious  satisfaction,  as 
it  boldly  ploughed  the  waves,  which  sparkled  and  foamed 
around  it  with  the  sails  swelled  by  a  stiff  breeze,  and  the 
Dutch  colors  gaily  streaming  from  the  tall  mast-head.  Van 
Haarman  reclined  on  the  stern,  in  a  very  lover-like  attitude, 
unwilling  to  withdraw  his  eyes  a  moment  from  the  ?pot  where 
his  love  and  his  hopes  were  fixed ;  while  Atherton  walked  the 
deck,  with  the  quick,  elastic  step  of  one  who  has  escaped  a 
prison-house,  and  exults  again  in  the  light  of  freedom.  He 
would  sometimes  stop  to  gaze  a  moment  on  the  beautiful 
island,  which  seemed  floating  in  the  waters,  like  a  region  of 
enchantment,  decked  out  with  verdure  and  bloom,  and  sport- 
ing a  thousand  hues  in  the  brilliant  sunshine  and  chequered 
shade ; — though  still  oftener  his  eye  roved  impatiently  across 
the  Sound,  and  lingered  on  the  clear  horizon,  watching  to  ob- 
tain a  glimpse  of  the  yet  distant  hills  of  Connecticut. 
31* 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 


A  number  of  the  Pequod  Indians,  who  had  been  lately 
captured  were  put  on  board  the  vessel,  in  the  expectation  that 
it  would  be  necessary  to  offer  them  in  exchange  for  the  young 
women ;  and  though  they  submitted,  in  sullen  silence  to  their 
destiny,  it  was  considered  prudent  to  secure  them  below  the 
deck,  to  prevent  the  possibility  of  any  violent  attempt  at 
escape.  One  of  their  number,  however,  a  young  man  of  no- 
ble countenance  and  demeanor,  was  exempted  from  this  gen- 
eral confinement.  He  received  a  severe  wound  in  his  right 
arm,  during  the  action  with  the  Dutch,  and  his  subsequent 
imprisonment,  with  the  pain  he  endured,  and  the  mortification 
and  chagrin  attendant  on  his  situation,  had  reduced  him  to 
extreme  weakness.  Atherton  was  particularly  interested  in 
the  appearance  of  the  young  Indian,  as  he  entered  the  sloop 
with  his  companions — their  hands  bound  and  attended  by  a 
strong  guard  ;  he  saw  him  stagger  as  if  too  feeble  to  support 
himself;  and  yielding  to  the  impulse  of  humanity,  sprang 
forward,  and  offered  him  the  assistance  of  his  arm. 

'Cushminaw  needs  no  help;'  said  the  Indian,  in  tolerable 
English,  '  the  white  man  is  his  foe,  and  he  disdains  his 
pity.' 

He  raised  his  fettered  hands  energetically  as  he  spoke ;  but 
in  an  instant  they  fell  nerveless  by  his  side,  and  at  the  same 
time,  a  gush  of  blood  flowed  profusely  from  his  wound.  The 
savage  looked  at  it  with  an  unmoved  countenance  ;  but  Ather- 
ton, who  now  first  comprehended  the  cause  of  his  weakness, 
hastily  removed  a  cloak  of  furs  which  was  thrown  over  his 
arm,  and  Von  Haarman  ordered  his  fetters  to  be  immediately 
taken  off".  Cushminawhad,  for  several  days,  endured  excess- 
ive pain  with  a  fortitude  peculiar  to  the  Indian  character,  and 
too  proud  to  complain  or  ask  assistance,  he  concealed  his 
wound  from  every  eye,  arid  would  rather  have  suffered  death 
than  permitted  a  groan  to  escape  him.  It  was,  however, 


PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  367 

neither  deep  nor  dangerous ;  and  had  he  been  at  liberty  to  ex- 
ercise upon  it  the  skill  which  his  race  always  acquire  in  the 
use  of  simples,  it  would  scarcely  have  troubled  him  ;  but  total 
neglect  and  the  excitement  of  his  passions  had  greatly  in- 
flamed it ;  and  exhausted  by  the  loss  of  blood,  he  was  obliged 
to  submit  quietly  to  the  will  of  those  around  him.  The  other 
Indians  \vere  removed  from  deck;  and  a  young  man  who  had 
some  knowledge  of  surgery,  examined  the  wound,  and  after 
applying  a  lenitive,  tightly  bandaged  it,  and  placed  the  arm  in 
a  sling.  Cushminaw  had  hitherto  yielded  quietly  to  the  op- 
eration ;  but  with  a  smile  of  ineffable  scorn,  he  tore  the  sling 
from  his  neck,  and  throwing  it  from  him,  exclaimed, — 

'  Shall  a  warrior  of  the  Pequod  tribe  be  tied  like  a  child  to 
its  mother's  breast  ?' 

He  rose  indignantly  as  he  spoke,  and  walked  slowly  around 
the  deck ;  he  sometimes  stopped,  and  for  many  moments, 
watched  the  waves  rising  and  dashing  against  the  sides  of  the 
vessel ;  he  would  then  look  earnestly  towards  his  native 
shores,  and  again  resume  his  walk,  with  an  air  of  melancholy 
thoughtfulness.  There  was  a  stately  dignity  in  the  mien  and 
gestures  of  the  young  Indian,  and  an  occasional  fierceness  in 
the  expression  of  his  piercing  eye,  which  struck  the  seamen 
with  awe,  and  they  constantly  retreated  before  his  steps,  as  if 
fearful  he  would  commit  some  act  of  violence  on  them. — 
Cushminaw  seemed  to  understand  their  feelings;  but  he  re- 
garded them  with  contempt  more  than  anger,  and  never 
deigned  to  speak  unless  previously  addressed.  It  was  the 
opinion  of  almost  every  one  that  he  ought  to  be  confined  ;  but 
Van  Haarman  was  convinced  he  could  do  no  injury  ;  and 
hoping  he  might  prove  of  service,  if  kindly  used,  in  the  ex- 
pected negotiation,  insisted  on  leaving  him  at  liberty  to  follow 
his  inclinations  without  restraint. 

Major  Athcrton  endeavored  to  draw  him  into  conversation, 


368  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

on  subjects  which  appeared  to  interest  him,  till  by  degrees  he 
won  upon  his  confidence,  and  the  young  savage,  touched  by 
his  kindness,  began  to  feel  pleasure  in  his  society,  and  the 
sternness  of  his  countenance  gave  place  to  a  grateful  smile, 
whenever  he  approached  him.  Cushminaw  was  in  the  spring 
of  life,  and  could  not  long  indulge  a  gloom  and  distrust  which 
belonged  not  to  his  age  or  character ;  and  while  he  again 
breathed  the  pure  air,  and  saw  the  light  of  heaven,  and  felt 
his  pain  assuaged  by  sympathy,  and  was  indulged  the  hope 
of  a  speedy  return  to  the  freedom  for  which  he  sighed,  the 
native  generosity  of  his  disposition  prevailed  over  every  hos- 
tile feeling,  and  he  soon  regarded  Atherton  with  that  strong 
interest  and  gratitude  which  is  almost  peculiar  to  the  savage 
heart. 

Atherton  learned  from  him  that  he  was  the  only  son  of  a 
Narraganset  Sachem,  who  early  taught  him  to  excel  in  the 
athletic  sports  and  exercises  of  the  Indian  youth  ;  and  even  in 
childhood  trained  him  in  the  arts  of  war,  and  made  him  his 
companion  in  every  hostile  encounter  with  the  neighboring 
tribes.  Thus  accomplished  and  inured  to  fatigue,  at  the  age 
of  fifteen,  he  went  with  the  warriors  of  his  nation  to  avenge 
an  alleged  injury  committed  by  the  Pequods,  with  whom  they 
were  almost  continually  at  strife.  But  the  event  proved  dis- 
astrous to  his  people,  who  were  utterly  defeated  ;  his  father 
was  slain  in  battle,  and  he  fell  into  the  hands  of  Mononotto,  a 
powerful  sachem  of  the  Pequods.  Mononotto  was  but  a  few 
years  older  than  himself;  he  admired  his  bravery,  and  touched 
with  compassion  for  his  youth  and  misfortunes,  adopted  him 
for  his  own  son,  agreeably  to  an  Indian  custom,  and  ever 
treated  him  with  the  most  tender  affection.  He  had  a  short 
time  before  given  him  his  young  sister  in  marriage ;  and  with 
the  gratitude  of  a  noble  spirit,  Cushminaw  declared  that  he 
would  cheerfully  lay  down  his  life  to  serve  his  adopted  father 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  369 

and  people.  In  his  childhood  he  was  once  detained  many 
months  as  an  hostage,  by  the  English  at  Plymouth,  and  in- 
structed by  them  in  their  language  and  religion  ;  the  latter  he 
had  quite  forgotten,  but  the  former  was  kept  in  remembrance 
by  a  frequent  intercourse  with  the  colonists,  till  he  was  re- 
ceived into  the  Pequod  tribe  ;  and  subsequent  to  that  period, 
he  had  been  often  employed  as  an  interpreter  in  negotiating 
with  them.  He  dwelt  with  pleasure  on  his  early  connection 
with  the  white  people,  and  acknowledged  that  he  felt  no  en- 
mity towards  them,  except  as  they  had  injured  his  father  and 
brethren,  whose  quarrels  it  was  his  duty  to  avenge. 

Major  Atherton  listened  with  interest  to  the  simple  narra- 
tive of  the  young  Indian  ;  and  in  return,  he  gratified  him  with 
a  short  history  of  his  own  life,  his  passage  across  the  great 
waters,  and  his  various  journey  ings  in  the  western  world. — 
Cushminaw  lost  not  a  word  that  he  uttered  ;  but  when  he  had 
finished  speaking,  he  laid  his  hand  on  Alherton's  arm,  and 
said  emphatically, — 

'  Brother,  hast  thou  no  wife  to  be  the  charm  of  thy  youth, 
and  the  comfort  of  thine  old  age  ?  to  weep  for  thine  absence, 
and  cheer  theewith  smiles  when  thou  returnest  from  the  field 
of  battle  ?' 

Atherton  answered  in  the  negative. 

'  Listen  to  me,  brother,'  returned  Cushminaw,  '  the  captive 
maids  whom  you  seek,  are  in  the  hands  of  my  father,  Mono- 
notto,  and  it  is  in  his  power  to  save  them  alive ;  he  loves  me, 
and  will  hearken  to  my  words  ;  and  if  thou  wouldst  take  for 
thy  wife,  her  who  is  fairest  of  the  daughters  of  thy  land,  I 
will  speak  to  him,  and  pray  him  to  give  her  thee  for  the  ran- 
som of  his  son.' 

«  Who  is  she,'  asked  Atherton  ;  '  by  what  name  is  she 
known  ?  where  are  her  kindred,  and  who  is  her  companion  ?' 

•  I  know  not  her  name,'  replied  the  Indian  ;  '  my  mother 


370  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

calls  her  daughter,  and  cherisheth  her  as  her  own  flesh,  she  is 
delicate  as  the  wild  rose  of  summer  ;  but  her  bloom  is  fading, 
and  her  fair  head  droops  with  untimely  sorrow,  her  friends 
are  afar  off,  and  her  father  wanders  in  a  strange  land  ;  her 
companion  is  a  timid  child,  ignorant  of  the  dangers  which 
surround  her.' 

'Good  heavens!'  exclaimed  Atherton,  with  emotion;  'of 
whom  do  you  speak?  tell  me,  I  entreat  you,  of  all  that  re- 
lates to  her  ?' 

'  Brother,'  returned  Cushminaw,  '  I  have  little  more  to 
say ;  her  eyes  are  dim  with  weeping,  and  food  and  rest  are 
strangers  to  her;  often  when  my  mother's  song  has  ceased, 
and  she  has  laid  down  to  rest  with,  her  little  ones,  and  only 
the  stars  are  awake  to  listen,  have  I  heard  her  sing,  in  a  low 
voice,  a  sweet  song  of  her  native  country,  interrupted  by  her 
sighs  and  tears ;  and  my  heart  was  moved  with  pity  for  her 
grief.  One  day  I  returned  from  the  chase,  just  as  the  shad- 
ows began  to  lengthen  on  the  plain,  and  found  her  sitting  at 
the  door  of  the  wigwam,  with  her  arms  entwined  around  the 
neck  of  her  young  companion  on  whose  bosom  she  wept  bit- 
terly. I  drew  near  to  her  and  said,  "  Daughter  of  the  white 
man,  why  has  sorrow  entered  into  thine  heart?"  She  started 
on  hearing  the  language  of  her  people,  and  turned  on  me  her 
eyes,  soft  as  twin  violets,  wet  with  the  dews  of  morning ;  but 
alarmed  by  my  presence,  she  covered  her  face,  and  remained 
silent.  "  Fear  me  not,  young  maiden,"  I  continued,  "  thou 
art  beloved  by  my  mother,  and  the  arm  of  Cushminaw  is 
powerful,  and  his  tongue  persuasive  in  the  council  of  his 
brethren."  She  started  quickly  from  the  ground,  and  clasp- 
ing her  hands,  exclaimed,  "  Son  of  the  warrior,  save  me  from 
a  lingering  captivity  and  cruel  death,  give  me  back  to  the 
arms  of  my  father,  who  mourns  his  only  child ;  and  the  God 
of  the  white  people  shall  bless  and  reward  you."  Moved  by 


PEEP    AT     THE    PILGRIMS.  371 

her  distress,  I  was  about  to  give  an  answer  of  peace,  when 
my  father  approached  us  ;  he  was  returning  from  the  fort  of 
Sassacus,  his  eye  was  terrible,  and  his  countenance  darkened 
with  frowns.  At  sight  of  him,  the  young  maids  fled,  pale 
and  affrighted  from  our  presence,  and  1  saw  them  no  more  ; 
before  the  setting  of  another  sun,  the  barks  of  the  stranger 
visited  our  shores,  and  our  young  warriors  were  carried 
into  captivity.' 

Cushminavv's  countenance  fell,  and  his  eye  flashed  with  re- 
sentment, as  he  alluded  to  their  defeat;  and  turning  from 
Atherton,  with  a  lofty  stride,  he  walked  to  a  distant  part  of 
the  vessel.  Atherton  was  effected  by  the  Indian's  words ;  the 
possibility  that  the  vindictive  chiefs  would  not  accept  a  ransom 
for  their  unfortunate  captives,  or  that  they  might  already  have 
fallen  victims  to  their  cruelty,  gave  him  extreme  uneasiness; 
and  he  looked  forward  with  painful  solicitude  to  the  approach- 
ing negotiation. 

On  the  following  morning,  the  sloop  entered  the  Pequod 
harbor  ;  and  the  savages  alarmed  by  its  appearance,  assem- 
bled in  great  numbers  on  the  shore,  armed  and  prepared  to 
resist  any  hostile  attack.  The  vessel  was  anchored  in  full 
view  of  the  multitude,  who  watched  it  with  extreme  curios- 
ity ;  and  Van  Haarman  proposed  sending  a  boat  immediately 
with  a  few  trusty  men,  to  open  the  proposed  treaty  with  the 
chiefs. 

Atherton  readily  undertook  the  risk  and  responsibility; 
and  with  an  interpreter  and  four  stout  seamen,  advanced  bold- 
ly towards  the  land,  protected  by  the  guns  of  the  sloop,  which 
the  natives  regarded  with  awe  and  wonder.  The  Indians 
drew  their  arrows  to  the  head,  ready  to  shoot  at  an  instant's 
warning  ;  but  observing  that  Atherton  and  his  companions 
did  not  raise  their  weapons,  and  made  various  gestures  to 
signify  they  came  in  amity,  they  gradually  released  their 


372  PEEP  AT   THE     PILGRIMS. 

bows  ;  and  when  near  enough  to  be  heard,  the  interpreter 
announced  his  commander's  wish  to  speak  with  the  grand 
Sachem. 

Sassacus  stood  in  the  midst  of  his  warriors,  distinguished 
above  them  all,  by  the  gigantic  proportions  of  his  figure,  and 
the  superior  richness  of  his  savage  attire.  His  countenance 
was  fierce  and  vindictive,  hideously  disfigured  with  paint,  and 
his  naked  breast  and  arms  were  marked  with  deep  incisions, 
stained  with  vegetable  colors,  bearing  a  rude  resemblance  to 
various  wild  animals  and  birds.  A  string  of  shells  and  pol- 
ished stones,  twisted  with  an  enormous  serpent's  skin,  hung 
round  his  neck  ;  his  ears  were  weighed  down  by  large  pend- 
ants of  bone,  carved  into  frightful  figures,  and  his  hair  cut  in 
a  fantastic  manner,  was  ornamented  with  tufts  of  eagle  fea- 
thers. 

On  receiving  Major  Atherton's  message,  Sassacus  advanced 
a  few  paces  from  his  attendants,  with  an  air  of  command  and 
majesty,  which  at  once  proclaimed  him  sovereign  of  the  rude 
people  who  surrounded  him  ;  and  wrapping  a  cloak  of  pan- 
thers' skins  closely  around  his  right  arm,  he  stood  in  an  atti- 
tude of  proud  defiance,  with  one  bare  and  sinewy  leg  extend- 
ed, his  bow  half  raised,  and  his  eye  fixed  keenly  on  the  coun- 
tenance of  the  speaker. 

Atherton  hastened  to  enquire,  through  his  interpreter,  re- 
specting the  English  maidens,  whom  the  Indian  monarch  held 
in  captivity  ; — informed  him,  that  the  Dutch  were  desirous  of 
ransoming  them  ; — and  mentioned  the  terms  which  their  gov- 
ernor had  proposed.  He  avoided  any  allusion  to  the  Pequod 
prisoners,  as  Van  Haarman  was  instructed  not  to  give  them 
up,  unless  every  other  means  of  negotiation  failed. 

Sassacus  heard  him  with  profound  attention  ;  but  as  soon 
as  he  had  ceased  speaking,  he  declared  in  an  imperative  tone, 
that  his  captives  should  not  be  liberated ;  that  they  were 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  373 

bravely  taken  from  the  English,  who  provoked  his  wrath  by 
intruding  into  his  dominions,  protecting  the  Indians  who  were 
tributary  to  him,  and  committing  other  acts  of  aggression 
which  had  caused  him  to  lift  the  tomahawk  against  them ; 
and  that  it  should  not  be  buried  so  long  as  a  white  man  re- 
mained to  plant  in  the  land.  He  asked  where  were  his  peo- 
ple, who  had  been  lately  taken  from  him  ?  and  said  he  would 
enter  into  no  treaty  until  they  were  safely  returned. 

Atherton  was  not  empowered  to  enter  upon  this  subject ;  he 
however,  assured  Sassacus  that  the  Pequods  had  been  taken 
when  committing  violence  upon  the  Dutch,  who  never  injured 
them,  but  on  the  contrary,  had  always  traded  with  them  in  a 
friendly  manner;  and  that  it  was  their  Governor,  and  not  the 
English,  who  wished  to  purchase  the  captive  maids ;  offering 
the  highest  terms  in  his  power  for  their  redemption. 

The  haughty  chief  rejected  his  offers  with  disdain  ;  assured 
him,  that  revenge  was  dearer  to  him  than  all  the  treasures  of 
the  white  people,  and  that  he  would  never  be  prevailed  with 
to  forego  it.  The  prisoners  would  have  been  sacrificed  long 
ago,  he  added,  had  not  Mononotto  acted  the  woman  rather 
than  the  warrior,  and  been  moved  to  pity  by  their  tears. 

The  stern  resolve  of  the  sachem's  words  and  manner,  con- 
vinced Atherton  that  he  had  entered  upon  a  difficult  if  not 
hopeless  task  ;  but  vailing  his  uneasiness  under  an  air  of  in- 
difference, he  answered  that  he  had  delivered  his  message  ; 
and  if  Sassacus  had  any  thing  more  to  say  on  the  subject,  he 
must  speak  with  the  Governor's  deputy  in  the  vessel,  who 
would  wait  a  few  hours  for  him  to  consider  what  had  been 
said. 

But  while  he  was  ordering  the  men  to  put  off  from  the 
shore,  an  aged  warrior  stepped  hastily  forward,  and  motion- 
ing them  to  stay  awhile,  approached  Sassacus  respectfully, 
and  remained  several  moments  in  earnest  conversation  with 
32 


374  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

him.  He  then  left  him,  and  informed  Atherton  that  his  tribe 
were  anxious  for  the  safety  of  their  captive  brethren ;  and  if 
he  was  willing  to  remain  with  them  as  a  hostage,  they  would 
send  a  chief  to  hold  a  talk  with  the  people  in  the  vessel. 
Atherton  consented  to  the  proposal,  provided  they  would  se- 
lect a  person  of  sufficient  rank  and  importance  to  render  his 
own  life  secure  ;  and  he  hoped  by  this  means  to  obtain  more 
certain  intelligence  respecting  the  captives,  and  perhaps  find 
an  opportunity  of  speaking  with  them.  Sassacus,  on  receiv- 
ing his  assent,  turned  to  his  subjects  and  addressed  them  with 
many  emphatic  gestures  ;  the  most  profound  silence  was 
maintained  during  his  discourse;  and  when  he  ceased,  a  low 
murmur  arose,  and  every  countenance  was  agitated  by  some 
strong  emotion.  Atherton  learned  from  the  interpreter,  that 
the  sachem  was  desirous  of  holding  a  conference  himself  with 
the  white  men  ;  but  the  attachment  of  his  subjects  led  them 
to  oppose  his  design,  believing  the  person  of  Major  Atherlon 
would  be  no  security  for  that  of  so  potent  and  dreaded  a  chief. 
But  Sassacus  was  inaccessible  to  fear,  and  like  most  arbitrary 
sovereigns,  determined  at  all  events  to  exercise  his  own  will, 
and  exact  obedience  ;  with  a  terrible  voice  he  accordingly 
commanded  silence,  and  in  a  tone  which  could  not  be  disput- 
ed, declared  it  his  intention  to  place  himself  in  the  power  of 
the  enemy.  The  poor  Indians  dared  not  utter  a  word,  even 
of  entreaty ;  but  with  sorrowful  looks  continued  to  regard 
him,  while  he  bade  them  farewell;  and  with  an  air  of  deter- 
mined courage,  advanced  towards  the  boat.  His  warriors 
crowded  to  the  water's  edge,  as  if  to  protect  him  to  the  last 
moment;  and  Atherton  sprang  on  shore  in  the  midst  of  them, 
at  the  moment  that  Sassacus  entered  the  bark,  and  was  safe 
in  the  hands  of  his  own  men.  The  boat  glided  swiftly  away  ; 
Sassacus  stood  in  the  midst  of  it,  with  his  hands  folded,  and 
an  expression  of  gloomy  satisfaction  on  his  features  like  one 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  375 

who  is  about  to  encounter  danger  for  the  glory  of  overcoming 
it.  Van  Haarman  from  his  vessel  witnessed  all  that  passed, 
and  with  his  principal  officers  waited  on  the  deck  to  receive 
the  sachem  with  becoming  courtesy.  The  savages,  apparent- 
ly satisfied  with  his  civility,  then  began  to  arrange  themselves 
for  a  march;  and  by  gestures  informed  Atherton  that  he  must 
accompany  them  to  the  fort.  Atherton  cheerfully  submitted 
to  their  wishes ;  and  his  confidence  in  them  evidently  gained 
their  good-will.  Though  closely  guarded,  they  seemed  anx- 
ious to  render  his  situation  comfortable,  and  repeatedly  press- 
ed him  to  partake  of  their  humble  food.  He  could  scarcely 
realize  that  he  was  in  the  midst  of  a  people,  who  regarded  his 
nation  with  deadly  hatred,  and  probably  viewed  him  with  per- 
sonal aversion  at  the  same  moment  that  they  treated  him  with 
the  most  attentive  hospitality.  A  forbearance  which  these  sin- 
gular beings  are  taught  to  consider  a  duly ;  and  the  stranger 
who  seeks  the  shelter  of  their  roof,  whatever  his  country  or 
crimes,  even  their  mortal  enemy,  is  welcome  to  share  their 
food  and  lodging  ;  and  his  voluntary  confidence  is  always 
sufficient  to  protect  him. 

Major  Atherton,  however,  found  no  one  who  could  or  would 
speak  to  him  in  his  own  language  ;  and  being  totally  unac- 
quainted with  the  Indian  dialect,  their  conversation  was  con- 
fined entirely  to  signs.  But  all  his  efforts  to  gain  any  intelli- 
gence respecting  the  captives,  proved  unavailing  ;  naturally 
shrewd,  they  readily  comprehended  his  wishes  in  every  other 
respect ;  but  with  their  usual  cunning  and  caution,  they  were 
perversely  stupid  whenever  he  attempted  to  draw  information 
from  them  on  the  subject  which  so  deeply  interested  him. — 
Still  he  continued  to  hope,  that  some  lucky  accident  would  at 
length  gratify  his  wishes  ;  and  in  the  mean  time,  the  novelty 
of  his  situation,  and  the  strange  manners  of  the  savage  people 
around  him,  kept  his  curiosity  and  interest  constantly  excited. 


376  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

He  was  particularly  amused  by  the  Indian  women,  who  were 
continually  surrounding  him  ;  many  of  them  had  never  be- 
fore seen  a  white  man,  and  they  examined  him  with  great 
satisfaction,  often  laughing  and  clapping  their  hands  when  he 
smiled  or  personally  noticed  them.  To  one  or  two,  who  seem- 
ed of  superior  rank,  he  offered  some  trifling  presents,  which 
were  highly  pleasing  to  the  swarthy  fair  ones,  and  attracted 
many  others  to  him,  in  the  expectation  of  sharing  similar  fa- 
vors. He  however  made  them  understand  that  he  had  noth- 
ing more  to  give,  and  signified  a  wish  to  go  with  them  to  their 
wigwams,  which  were  clustered  together  at  a  short  distance 
from  the  fort.  But  the  wary  chiefs,  who  perfectly  compre- 
hended his  motives,  interdicted  him  from  following  them,  and 
with  menacing  gestures  dispersed  the  obedient  squaws  to 
their  places  of  abode.  Yet  it  was  not  long  before  they  return- 
ed, at  first  timidly,  then  with  increasing  boldness  and  num- 
bers ;  though  Atherton  was  so  closely  watched  by  the  savage 
warriors,  that  they  could  not  approach  so  near  him  as  before. 
But  they  were  as  well  skilled  in  the  arts  of  persuasion  as 
many  of  their  sex  who  boast  of  clearer  skins  ;  and  by  degrees, 
Atherton  found  himself  again  encompassed  by  his  female  ad- 
mirers, who  mingled  freely  with  their  sooty  lords,  and  seemed 
never  weary  of  looking  at  him, — often  feeling  of  his  dress, 
and  apparently  expressing  great  wonder  at  his  beard  :  they 
had  never  seen  the  like  on  the  face  of  an  Indian.  They  also 
admired  the  hilt  of  his  sword,  which  was  much  ornamented; 
and  Atherton,  to  surprise  them,  drew  the  blade  partly  from 
its  scabbard ;  but  the  sharp  edge  and  glittering  appearance  so 
much  alarmed  them,  that  they  fled  with  a  discordant  yell, 
leaving  the  men  highly  amused  by  their  terror. 

There  was  one  young  squaw  peculiarly  modest  and  inter- 
esting in  her  appearance,  who  remained  totally  unmoved  by 
the  fears  of  her  companions.  She  stood  leaning  against  a 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  377 

tree,  singing  in  a  low  voice  ;  and  as  Atherton  listened  atten- 
tively, he  caught  a  few  words  of  English  mingled  with  the 
Indian  dialect.  Her  eyes  were  fixed  stedfastly  on  his  face, 
and  as  he  looked  earnestly  at  her,  he  fancied  she  nodded  sig- 
nificantly;  though  her  chaunt  was  unbroken.  Determined 
to  ascertain  her  meaning,  if  she  had  any,  he  advanced  nearer, 
and  offered  her  a  small  knife  of  considerable  value.  She  re- 
ceived it  with  a  smile ;  and  while  examining  it  attentively, 
Atherton  ventured  to  say  to  her,  '  Speak  to  me  quickly,  if 
you  can  tell  me  aught  of  the  English  maidens.'  The  woman, 
made  no  reply,  but  looked  first  at  him,  then  fearfully  towards 
the  warriors  who  stood  around  them  ;  and  at  the  moment  a 
stern  sachem,  who  kept  a  vigilant  eye  on  Alherton,  addressed 
her  in  a  harsh  and  angry  tone.  Her  soft  features  instantly 
assumed  a  haughty  expression,  and  answering  him  with  an 
air  of  disdain,  she  turned  proudly  away,  and  walked  slowly 
from  the  spot.  Atherton  was  strongly  inclined  to  follow  her, 
but  a  conviction  of  the  folly  and  imprudence  of  such  a  course 
restrained  him  ;  though  he  felt  fully  persuaded  that  she  was 
acquainted  with  the  situation  of  the  captives,  and  had  no  doubt 
that  it  was  her  intention  to  speak  with  him  concerning  them. 
He  therefore  continually  watched  for  her  re-appearance,  but 
the  day  passed  away  in  disappointment,  and  towards  its  close 
the  Dutch  boat  was  again  seen  approaching  the  shore.  Ather- 
ton was  immediately  re-conducted  to  the  beach,  whither  the 
whole  multitude  hastened  with  joyful  acclamations  to  receive 
their  monarch.  At  that  moment  he  observed  the  young  In- 
dian woman  among  the  crowd,  her  eyes  fixed  on  him  as  be- 
fore, with  a  significant  expression.  He  cautiously  retreated  a 
step  or  two  from  his  guard,  and  by  a  look  of  entreaty  besought 
her  to  explain  herself.  She  waved  her  hand  with  a  warning 
gesture,  and  darted  from  his  sight  with  the  speed  of  lightning. 
Vexed  with  her  conduct,  and  half  inclined  to  believe  she  was 
32* 


378  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

sporting  with  his  curiosity,  he  remained  musing  on  the  strange 
adventure,  till  roused  by  feeling  some  one  brush  lightly  past 
him,  and  at  the  same  time  something  was  thrust  hastily  in 
his  hand.  He  instinctively  grasped  it  closely,  but  had  scarce- 
ly time  to  remark  the  figure  of  the  squaw  flying  from  him, 
before  the  boat  touched  the  strand,  and  Atherton  heard  his 
name  called  loudly  by  Van  Haarman.  He  sprang  forward  to 
greet  his  friend,  and  exchanging  hasty  adieus  with  his  savage 
entertainers,  entered  the  boat  just  as  Sassacus  again  set  foot 
on  his  own  dominions. 

Scarcely  heeding  the  numerous  inquiries  of  Van  Haarman, 
Major  Atherton  hastened  to  examine  the  Indian's  gift ;  it  was 
a  strip  of  smooth  bark,  and  on  it  written  with  some  pointed 
instrument,  and  evidently  by  a  trembling  hand  the  following 
words, — 

'  The  sachem  Mononotto  protects  us  ;  we  are  safe ;  leave 
this  inhospitable  land  I  entreat  you,  and  do  not  risk  your  safe- 
ty to  effect  our  liberation.' 

Atherton  read  this  scrawl  repeatedly,  and  with  strong  emo- 
tion ;  there  was  no  signature,  and  the  writing  was  unknown 
to  him  ;  could  it  have  been  sent  by  any  one  who  had  recog- 
nized him  by  the  Indian's  description  ?  He  thought  it  im- 
possible ;  he  was  not  known  to  any  females  in  the  Connecti- 
cut colony,  except  Miriam  Grey  and  her  cousin,  and  the  idea 
that  they  were  in  a  situation  of  so  much  peril,  though  it  had 
often  painfully  crossed  his  mind,  was  too  dreadful  to  be  in- 
dulged. Again  he  examined  the  characters  attentively  ;  he 
was  unacquainted  with  Miriam's  writing,  and  therefore  could 
not  compare  them,  but  the  evident  anxiety  for  his  safety  which 
had  dictated  the  scrawl,  the  generous  wish  to  relieve  his  solic- 
itude, and  deter  him  from  rushing  upon  danger,  rather  than 
to  secure  her  own  safety — who  but  Miriam,  at  such  a  mo- 
ment, would  be  so  considerate,  so  disinterested  ?  Full  of 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  379 

doubt  and  inquietude  he  showed  the  writing  to  Van  Haar- 
man,  who  was  perplexed,  and  rather  impatient  at  his  long 
silence,  and  related  to  him  all  the  events  of  the  day. 

Van  Haarman,  however,  after  a  careful  examination  and 
attentive  hearing,  laughed  at  his  fears,  and  assured  him  that 
it  was  impossible  any  one  could  identify  him  under  such  cir- 
cumstances ;  that  even  were  it  in  reality  Miriam  Grey,  she 
could  not  for  an  instant  suppose  he  had  become  an  envoy  from 
the  New-Netherlands,  of  which  place  he  had  not  even  dream- 
ed when  he  last  saw  her.  Atherton  thought  his  reasoning 
plausible,  if  not  conclusive  ;  and  considerably  relieved  of  his 
apprehensions,  he  listened  with  interest  to  an  account  of  Van 
Haarman's  interview  with  Sassacus.  The  savage  prince  had 
discovered  great  obstinacy  in  the  negotiation,  and  a  most  in- 
veterate malignity  towards  the  English;  he  had  insisted  that 
the  prisoners  ought  to  be  sacrificed,  though  he  acknowledged 
that  it  depended  on  the  will  of  Monoriotto,  into  whose  hands 
they  had  fallen.  The  sachem  was  at  that  time  absent,  but 
would  certainly  return  before  evening,  when  it  was  his  inten- 
tion to  hold  a  grand  council  with  his  warriors ;  and  on  the 
morrow  the  result  should  be  made  known  to  the  Dutch.  Van 
Haarman  on  his  part  had  declared  his  resolution  to  put  to 
death  all  the  Pequods  who  were  in  his  power,  if  the  maidens 
were  not  safely  delivered  up  to  him, — but  he  offered  six  of 
the  highest  rank  for  their  ransom,  including  the  adopted  son 
of  Mononotto. 

Thus  the  lives  of  so  many  individuals  hung  upon  a  thread ; 
and  Van  Haarman,  to  prevent  a  surprise  from  the  enemy, 
ordered  a  double  watch  to  be  set  for  the  night,  and  every  pre- 
caution to  be  used  to  secure  their  tafety,  which  the  most  vig- 
ilant prudence  could  suggest. 


380  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

Though  perils  did 

Abound,  as  thick  as  thought  could  make  them,  and 
Appear  in  forms  more  horrid,  yet  my  duty, 
As  doth  a  rock  against  the  chiding  flood, 
Should  the  approach  of  this  wild  river  break, 
And  stand  unshaken  yours. 

SHAKSPEAEE. 

SOON  after  sunrise  on  the  next  morning,  Sassacus  with  a 
guard  of  his  subjects  approached  the  Dutch  vessel  in  canoes, 
and  signified  their  wish  to  renew  the  negotiation  with  its 
commander.  Van  Haarman,  with  Atherton  and  a  few  of  his 
men,  met  them  in  a  boat — for  they  could  not  again  be  per- 
suaded to  venture  on  board  the  sloop — and  a  long  and  inter- 
esting conference  ensued.  As  was  greatly  to  be  feared,  how- 
ever, from  the  fierce  and  haughty  character  of  the  Pequods, 
it  ended  in  disappointment  to  the  Dutch  agents,  and  the  only 
favor  they  could  extort  from  Sassacus  was  a  promise  not  to 
sacrifice  the  captives  within  twenty-four  hours  ;  and  on  this 
condition  Van  Haarman  consented  to  spare  the  lives  of  his 
prisoners  for  the  same  length  of  time.  The  sachem  Mono- 
notto  was  not  present  at  this  interview,  but  Sassacus  informed 
them  he  had  returned,  and  consented  to  give  up  his  captives 
to  the  will  of  his  king  and  people. 

There  was  no  longer  a  probability  of  recovering  the  unfor- 
tunate maidens,  though  Van  Haarman  endeavored  to  encour- 
age Atherton,  whose  extreme  dejection  surprised  him,  and  he 
imparted  to  him  several  advantageous  offers  which  he  intended 
to  make  the  savage  monarch,  on  the  coming  day.  But  Ath- 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  381 

erton  was  persuaded  they  would  prox^e  unavailing;  and  from 
the  moment  he  received  the  scrawl  from  the  Indian,  the  bare 
possibility  that  it  was  written  by  the  hand  of  Miriam  Grey, 
with  the  dreadful  idea,  that  she,  whom  he  so  fondly  loved, 
was  condemned  in  her  youth  and  loveliness,  to  a  lingering 
captivity  or  cruel  death,  had  constantly  employed  his  thoughts, 
and  left  him  a  prey  to  the  most  painful  apprehensions.  Even 
when  the  arguments  of  Van  Haarman,  and  his  own  reason, 
for  a  time,  persuaded  him  that  his  fears  were  groundless,  the 
unfortunate  situation  of  the  captives,  whoever  they  might  be, 
excited  the  deepest  commiseration,  and  he  felt  that  his  duty, 
as  a  man  and  a  soldier,  compelled  him  to  attempt  their  rescue, 
however  hazardous  the  undertaking.  He  forebore  communi- 
cating his  thoughts  to  Van  Haarman,  aware  that  he  could  not, 
without  exceeding  his  commission,  enter  into  his  plans  ;  and 
indeed  the  force  of  his  whole  crew,  opposed  to  a  tribe  of  pow- 
erful and  incensed  Indians,  wou,d  only  draw  upon  them  cer- 
tain destruction  : — whatever  he  did,  must  be  by  stratagem, 
and  alone.  He  passed  the  day,  almost  in  silence,  pacing  the 
deck  and  forming  a  thousand  plans,  none  of  which  was  satis- 
factory to  his  mind.  Evening  approached,  and  he  was  still 
undecided,  when  he  observed  Cushminaw  standing  apart  from 
every  one,  his  hands  folded  on  his  breast,  and  his  eyes  fixed 
thoughtfully  on  his  native  shore.  Struck  by  the  melancholy 
expression  of  his  countenance,  Atherton  approached  him  and 
said, — 

'  Cushminaw,  you  are  weary ;  pain  and  captivity  have 
brought  low  your  strength,  and  dimmed  the  lustre  of  your 
eyes.' 

'  Pain  !'  exclaimed  Cushminaw,  scornfully  tossing  his 
wounded  arm  ;  'the  warriors  of  our  tribe  disdain  it,  and  even 
our  women  endure  affliction  without  a  murmur.  Leave  me, 
brother,  to  watch  alone  ;  perhaps  I  shall  never  again  behold 


382  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

the  sun  setting  in  his  glory,  or  the  stars  rejoicing  in  the 
heavens.' 

'  I  will  watch  beside  you,'  returned  Atherton ;  '  I  have 
many  questions  to  ask  you  concerning  your  father's  captives, 
and  I  would  learn  why  he  refuses  to  release  them,  and  pro- 
cure your  life  and  liberty.' 

'  My  father  loves  me,'  returned  the  Indian  ;  '  but  he  detests 
your  nation,  and  would  sacrifice  much  to  avenge  the  injuries 
he  has  received  from  it.  Dost  thou  see  yonder  light  flashing 
across  the  waves,'  he  added,  pointing  to  the  fort  of  Sassacus, 
which  was  brightly  illumined  by  a  fire  within  it.  'The 
chiefs  of  our  nation  are  assembled  there  in  council,  and  this 
night  will  decide  the  fate  of  their  prisoners.  Sassacus  thirsts 
for  their  blood,  and  there  is  no  sachem  but  Mononotto,  who 
dares  oppose  his  will.  They  are  his  lawful  prize,  and  he  is 
powerful  enough  to  protect  them  ;  but  I  feel  assured  he  will 
give  them  up  to  the  will  of  his  brethren.' 

'  And  their  fate,'  said  Atherton,  shuddering,  '  must  be  in- 
evitable death  ?' 

Cushminaw  bowed  his  head  in  token  of  assent ;  while  with 
a  glance  of  pity,  not  unmingled  with  contempt,  he  regarded 
the  countenance  of  Atherton,  which  strongly  expressed  the 
feelings  of  horror  and  compassion  which  the  idea  excited. 

'Are  you  aware,'  resumed  Atherton,  after  a  moment's 
pause,  '  that  their  death  will  be  immediately  requited  on 
yourself  and  fellow-prisoners  ?  Cushminaw,  I  would  do 
much  to  save  you  ;  but  my  wish  will  be  powerless  ;  the  blood 
of  the  innocent  calls  for  vengeance.,  and  the  call  must  be  an- 
swered.' 

'  I  fear  not  death,' returned  the  Indian  proudly;  'I  have 
sported  with  it,  from  the  day  that  I  was  weaned  from  my 
mother's  breast ;  and  shall  I,  who  have  so  often  rejoiced  at 
the  tortures  of  the  prisoner,  shrink  in  the  hour  of  trial !  no, 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  383 

Cushminaw  fears  not  death ;  yet  would  he  first  avenge  it  on , 
his  enemies,  and  fail  as  becomes  a  valiant  warrior,  with  the 
arro'.v  bounding  from  his  hand,  and  the  scalps  of  the  van- 
quished at  his  feet!' 

'  Were  it  in  your  power,'  asked  Atherton,  '  would  you 
make  no  effort  to  prolong  your  days  ?  has  life  become  bit- 
ter to  you,  already,  that  you  would  thus  part  from  it  with- 
out regret !' 

'  Three  and  twenty  suns  have  rolled  over  my  head,'  re- 
turned the  Indian,  '  and  they  have  seen  me  contented  and 
happy  ;  yet  though  I  am  cut  off  in  the  greenness  of  youth,  the 
deeds  of  my  arm  shall  be  long  remembered;  the  aged  will 
mourn  for  me,  and  the  young  water  my  grave  with  tears.' 

4  Have  you  forgotten  the  wife  whom  you  love  ?'  resumed 
Atherton,  4  who  watches  in  vain  for  your  return,  and  numbers 
with  her  tears  the  lingering  days  of  your  absence  ?' 

Cushminaw  looked  reproachfully  at  Alherton,  and  for  a 
moment  buried  his  face  in  his  hands  ;  he  then  said  in  a 
softened  voice, — 

4  Young  Englishman,  speak  not  of  her  ;  I  shall  never  again 
embrace  her,  never  listen  to  her  voice,  nor  return  from  the 
chase  to  seek  her,  in  the  green  bowers  of  our  youthful  love. 
Speak  not  of  her,  for  no  womanish  weakness  shall  bring  re- 
proach on  the  name  of  Cushminaw.' 

'Cushminaw,'  said  Atherton  eagerly,  'could  you  purchase 
your  life,  by  releasing  your  father's  captives,  would  you  con- 
sent to  do  it  ?' 

'  I  would  first  know  the  terms,'  replied  the  chief;  'sooner 
would  I  die  ten  thousand  deaths,  than  betray  my  father's 
kindred  and  people.' 

'  I  ask  nothing  dishonorable  of  you,'  said  Atherton  ;  '  my 
own  safety  only  is  involved,  and  that  I  most  readily  adventure 
to  save  these  unfortunate  maidens ; — promise  to  aid  me, 


384  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

.Cushminaw,  and  your  freedom  shall  be  the  reward  of  my 
success.' 

'  I  would  it  were  in  my  power  to  save  them,'  replied  the 
Indian  ;' they  are  too  weak,  and  too  innocent  to  injure  us; 
my  heart  is  moved  by  their  distress,  and  my  mother  would 
bless  me  for  their  deliverance ;  but  I  am  in  bonds,  and  were  1 
freed,  how  could  my  single  arm  avail  to  rescue  them  ?' 

'  I  ask  nothing  but  your  counsel,'  returned  Atherton  ;  '  listen 
to  me,  Cushminaw ;  you  have  told  me,  the  maidens  inhabit 
the  wigwam  of  your  mother,  retired  from  the  fort  and  village  ; 
at  this  time  the  warriors  of  your  nation  are  assembled  in  coun- 
cil, and  the  women  only  are  left  to  guard  them ;  direct  me  to 
their  abode,  and  I  feel  confident  that  I  can  bring  them  in  safe- 
ty from  their  enemies.' 

'  Impossible  !' exclaimed  the  Indian,  surprised  at  the  bold- 
ness of  his  design  ;  '  our  warriors  are  keen-eyed  as  the  eagle, 
fierce  as  the  bear  robbed  of  her  whelps,  and  wily  as  the  ser- 
pent of  the  grass ;  nothing  can  escape  their  vigilance,  and 
even  should  you  find  a  path  through  the  mazes  of  the  forest, 
destruction  is  at  length  inevitable.' 

'  I  fear  it  not,'  said  Atherton ;  '  I  am  swift  of  foot,  and  well 
skilled  in  the  use  of  weapons ;  but  if  I  die,  it  is  in  a  good 
cause,  and  may  heaven  hear  the  cry  of  the  innocent,  and  save 
them  and  you  from  an  untimely  fate!  Young  warrior,  be 
sincere  with  me,  for  deceit  will  be  fatal  to  you.' 

'  I  have  never  betrayed  even  the  foe,  who  trusted  to  me,' 
returned  Cushminaw  ;  '  you  have  shown  me  much  kindness, 
brother,  and  I  would  befriend  you  rather  than  direct  your  steps 
to  danger,  and  perhaps  to  death.' 

'  Speak  not  of  it,'  said  Atherton,  impatiently;  '  my  mind  is 
resolved,  and  I  will  not  give  slumber  to  my  eyelids  till  I  have 
attempted  my  purpose  ;  if  you  refuse  to  instruct  me  I  will 
trust  to  my  own  guidance  wherever  it  may  lead  me.  Con- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  385 

sider,  Cushminaw,  that  your  life  may  be  cheaply  purchased ; 
but  if  the  captives  are  sacrificed,  all  my  efforts  will  be  unavail- 
ing to  preserve  it.' 

Cushminaw  remained  silent  and  perplexed  for  several  mo- 
ments ;  but  a  natural  love  of  life,  and  gratitude  for  the  kind- 
ness which  Atherton  had  shown  him,  finally  prevailed  over 
his  scruples,  and  he  proceeded  to  give  him  clear  and  minute 
directions  what  course  to  pursue ;  described  the  path  through 
the  forest,  and  his  mother's  wigwam,  which  was  retired  from 
every  other.  He  bade  him  cautiously  approach,  and  carefully 
examine  it,  and  assured  him  that  if  it  was  guarded  only  by  the 
squaws  he  might  boldly  enter,  and  bear  away  the  captives. 
He  then  tore  a  string  of  wampum  from  his  belt,  and  bade  him 
give  it  to  his  wife  should  he  find  her  in  his  mother's  wigwam, 
and  she  would  show  him  kindness  for  his  sake,  and  suffer  him 
to  depart  in  peace.  '  Brother,'  he  concluded,  '  the  stars  are 
thick  in  the  heavens  ;  our  fathers  are  yet  gathered  around 
their  council  fires ;  be  swift  as  the  wild  deer,  crafty  as  the 
beast  of  prey,  and  may  success  and  safety  go  with  you.' 

Atherton  fixed  his  eyes  keenly  on  the  countenance  of 
Cushminaw  while  he  spoke,  and  convinced  by  its  frank  ex- 
pression that  he  was  sincere,  he  grasped  his  hand  fervently, 
and  replied, — 

'  Cushminaw,  I  thank  you  ;  the  moment  of  my  return  will 
restore  you  to  freedom  and  your  country;  and  now,  for  a  time, 
farewell.' 

'  You  are  too  brave  to  deceive  me,'  replied  the  Indian, '  and 
I  fear  not  to  trust  your  words  ;  go,  my  brother,  speed  on  your 
way,  and  may  the  trees  hide  you  in  their  shade  from  the  red 
man  of  the  forest,  and  the  stars  in  their  brightness,  guide  you 
in  peace  to  the  trembling  maidens.' 

Aware  of  the  importance  of  using  the  utmost  dispatch, 
Major  Atherton  immediately  sought  out  Van  Haarrnan,  and 
33 


386  PEEP   AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

imparted  to  him  his  plans,  with  the  intelligence  of  Cushminaw. 
Van  Haarman  had  scarcely  patience  to  hear  him  through  ; 
astonished  at  his  temerity,  he  was  tempted  to  believe  him  un- 
der the  influence  of  some  strange  delusion,  or  actually  de- 
prived of  his  reason.  He  declared  it  impossible  to  elude  dis- 
covery, represented  the  extreme  duplicity  of  the  savage 
character,  that  their  treachery  was  proverbial,  and  even  if 
Cushminaw  should  by  a  miracle  prove  sincere,  that  the  cap- 
tives were  undoubtedly  well  guarded  ;  that  their  flight  would 
be  impracticable,  and  that  his  life  must  unavoidably  be  sacri- 
ficed. Atherton  listened  to  him  without  interruption  ;  but  he 
still  believed  his  plan  practicable,  and  assured  Van  Haarman, 
that  he  was  resolved  at  every  risk  to  attempt  its  execution. 
Van  Haarman  convinced  he  could  not  prevail  with  Alh" 
erton  to  alter  his  determination,  proposed  to  accompany  him 
with  a  few  of  his  bravest  men,  and  share  the  danger  of  his 
adventure  ;  but  Atherton  would  not  hearken  to  the  proposal. 
He  thought  Van  Haarman  was  not  authorized  to  hazard  the 
lives  of  himself  and  men,  in  a  private  and  romantic  enterprise, 
while  charged  with  an  important  commission  from  his  coun- 
try ;  and  he  was  persuaded  that  numbers  would  only  increase 
the  danger  of  discovery,  and  that  all  they  could  command 
would  be  inadequate  for  defence.  Atherton  requested  nothing 
of  Van  Haarman  but  a  promise  to  release  Cushminaw  as  soon 
as  he  returned  ;  and  if  the  event  proved  fatal  to  him,  he 
begged  him  to  renew  his  efforts  for  the  ransom  of  the  cap- 
tives. He  also  desired  the  use  of  a  boat,  and  the  assistance 
of  one  stout  seaman.  These  were  all  readily,  granted  by  Van 
Haarman ;  but  the  men  shrunk  from  Atherton's  proposal,  be- 
lieving it  would  be  rushing  to  certain  death  ;  and  with  much 
difficulty,  he  at  length  prevailed  on  one  to  attend  him,  by  the 
offer  of  a  large  reward,  and  an  assurance  that  he  should  not 
be  obliged  to  accompany  him  to  the  wigwam. 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  387 

In  a  few  moments  a  boat  was  lowered  to  the  water,  and 
Atherton  sprang  into  it  followed  with  less  agility  by  his  Dutch 
mercenary.  The  night  was  perfectly  serene  ;  not  a  breeze 
ruffled  the  waves,  nor  a  cloud  flitted  across  the  heavens.  The 
oars  were  muffled  to  prevent  the  'slightest  noise,  not  a  word 
was  spoken  even  in  whisper  ;  and  as  the  boat  glided  swiftly 
along  the  current  in  silence  and  darkness,  it  resembled  a  vis- 
ionary bark,  piloted  by  the  shadowy  beings  of  another  world. 
Atherton  looked  back  upon  the  sloop  ; — the  anxious  counte- 
nance of  Van  Haarman,  and  the  tall  figure  of  the  Indian  were 
no  longer  visible ;  the  fire  in  the  fort  of  Sassacus  dwindled  in 
his  sight ;  and  he  seemed  borne  on  the  mighty  stream  from 
the  haunts,  even  of  savage  man,  and  plunged  into  the  midst 
of  interminable  forests.  It  was  not  long  before  they  reached 
a  small  island  near  the  shore,  designated  by  the  Indian;  and 
just  beyond  it,  they  run  the  boat  into  a  natural  cove,  where  he 
had  directed  them  to  land.  A  few  bark  canoes  were  drawn 
up  on  the  bank ;  many  of  the  trees  were  cleared  away  and 
the  grass  much  trampled,  which  confirmed  Cushminaw's  as- 
sertion, that  it  was  a  place  of  general  resort  for  fishing.  Ath- 
erton whispered  his  companion  to  be  watchful,  and  remain 
quiet  till  he  returned ;  and  then  bounded  quickly  upon  the 
solitary  shore.  He  could  not  be  insensible  to  the  dangers  he 
was  about  to  encounter ;  but  his  feelings  were  too  much  ex- 
cited to  admit  of  fear,  and  his  disposition  was  too  sanguine  to 
doubt  the  probability  of  success.  It  is  impossible  to  ascertain 
how  far  the  mere  spirit  of  chivalry,  or  the  dictates  of  humani- 
ty would  have  influenced  him,  in  the  same  circumstances  ; 
but  the  apprehension  that  Miriam  Grey  might  be  one  of  the 
captives,  certainly  stimulated  his  exertions,  aed  contributed  to 
lead  him  on,  in  contempt  of  difficulties  and  obstacles,  to  exe- 
cute his  perilous  design. 

Major  Atherton  soon  discovered  a  narrow  foot-path,  and 


388  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

without  hesitation,  followed  its  windings,  which  led  him  back 
along  the  margin  of  the  river,  as  nearly  as  he  could  judge, 
for  the  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  It  then  suddenly 
turned,  and  ran  through  the  skirts  of  a  forest ;  and  in  a  few 
moments  the  fires  of  the  fort  were  again  visible.  He  retired 
a  few  paces  from  the  beaten  track,  to  conceal  himself  under 
the  shelter  of  the  trees  ;  and  with  a  light  and  fearless  step 
pressed  forward,  his  hand  grasping  the  hilt  of  his  sword,  his 
eyes  intent  on  every  object,  and  eagerly  listening  to  catch  the 
faintest  sound.  But  he  encountered  no  living  being,  and  the 
very  breath  of  nature  seemed  suspended,  so  intense  was  the 
stillness  of  the  night.  The  soft  murmuring  of  the  river  alone 
stole  upon  his  ear,  and  even  the  sweet  music  of  its  waters  was 
at  length  lost  in  the  distance.  Atherton  began  to  feel  impa- 
tient, and  a  faint  suspicion  that  Cushminaw  had  deceived 
him,  more  than  once  crossed  his  mind  ;  but  he  instantly  re- 
jected the  idea,  believing  he  would  be  restrained  by  selfish 
motives,  if  no  other,  from  an  act  of  treachery  which  must  in- 
evitably recoil  on  his  own  head.  The  path  several  times 
branched  off  towards  the  Indian  fort ;  the  country  between 
was  partially  cleared  and  cultivated,  affording  little  security 
to  his  person  in  case  of  discovery  ;  and  according  to  the  Indi- 
an's directions,  he  kept  straight  forward,  and  always  screened 
by  the  intervening  trees.  He  had  proceeded  about  a  mile, 
when  the  path  diverged  from  the  forest,  and  led  into  an  open 
plain,  which  bore  the  marks  of  recent  labor,  and  where  Ath- 
erton several  times  encountered  the  rude  implements  of  agri- 
culture used  by  those  savage  tribes  in  the  cultivation  of  their 
fields.  The  air  was  tainted  with  the  odor  of  decaying  fish, 
with  which  they  prepared  their  ground  for  planting;  and  in 
haste  to  escape  the  fetid  atmosphere,  he  accidentally  over- 
turned a  basket  of  seed  cord,  which  fell  back  into  a  capacious 
hole  in  the  ground,  lined  with  the  bark  of  trees,  from  which 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  389 

it  had  been  lately  taken.  The  accident  probably  saved  Ath- 
erton  from  a  similar  fate,  as  he  would  not  otherwise  have 
noticed  the  chasm  to  which  he  was  verging ;  but  fearful  the 
noise  might  attract  attention  from  some  wanderer  of  the  night, 
he  concealed  himself  a  few  moments  within  a  group  of  trees. 
Nothing,  however,  was  seen  or  heard,  and  he  emerged  from 
his  retreat,  and  ascended  a  considerable  eminence  which  lay 
before  him.  On  reaching  the  summit  and  looking  down  on 
the  other  side  he  was  surprised  to  perceive  several  wigwams 
just  below  him,  the  outskirts  of  the  Indian  village,  though 
scattered  and  apart  from  the  principal  settlement,  which  was 
only  a  short  distance  from  the  fort. 

Convinced  that  one  of  these  wigwams  must  be  the  abode  of 
Mononotto's  wife  and  captives,  Atherlon  cautiously  descended 
the  hill,  and  gliding  through  a  grove  of  fir  trees,  remained  a 
moment  under  their  branches,  deliberating  what  course  to 
pursue.  The  inhabitants  had  evidently  gone  to  repose;  not  a 
light  appeared  through  the  apertures  of  the  rustic  tenements, 
and  no  sound  was  heard  but  the  gurgle  of  a  brook  which 
watered  the  narrow  valley,  and  glittered  at  intervals  in  the 
pensive  starlight.  Atherton,  delighted  to  find  every  thing  so 
favorable  to  his  wishes,  was  in  the  act  of  sallying  from  his 
covert,  when  he  perceived  a  light  glancing  among  the  trees, 
at  some  distance  ;  and  looking  attentively,  he  found  it  pro- 
ceeded from  a  wigwam  which  he  had  not  yet  noticed.  It  was 
indeed  a  sylvan  dwelling,  scarcely  distinguished  from  the  sur- 
rounding foliage ;  and  Atherton  at  once  identified  it  with  the 
description  Cushminaw  had  given  him  of  his  mother's  dwell- 
ing ;  with  a  beating  heart  he  ventured  to  draw  a  little  nearer, 
if  possible,  to  obtain  a  glimpse  of  the  interior.  It  was  formed 
of  tall  young  trees,  bent  down  so  that  their  tops  were  fastened 
in  the  ground,  forming  a  circular  arbor  of  considerable  dimen- 
sions, with  the  branches  closely  interlaced,  to  exclude  the  sun 
33* 


3  90  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

and  air.  The  trees  were  putting  forth  their  leafy  honors,  re- 
gardless of  the  distorted  form  in  which  they  had  been  placed, 
merely  for  the  purpose  of  a  summer  shelter;  for  those  free 
and  roving  inhabitants  of  the  forest,  ignorant  of  the  artificial 
wants  of  society,  removed  at  will,  and  took  up  their  humble 
abodes  wherever  necessity  or  caprice  might  lead  them.  The 
cooling  draught  of  a  spring,  the  fruits  and  vegetables  of  the 
earth,  and  the  game  which  their  arrows  and  fishing  hooks 
procured  them,  were  sufficient  for  their  simple  wants ;  if 
pressed  for  food  in  one  place,  they  wandered  to  another,  with- 
out any  local  attachments  to  disturb  their  happiness,  or  any 
superfluous  wealth  to  fill  their  minds  with  care  and  anxiety. 
Major  Atherton  was  still  looking  earnestly  on  the  wigwam, 
when  a  mat  which  served  for  a  door  was  drawn  aside,  and  an 
Indian  youth,  armed  with  a  bow  and  arrows,  and  much  orna- 
mented, as  was  the  manner  with  those  of  a  higher  rank,  came 
out,  and  approached  the  spot  where  he  stood.  Atherton  could 
not  move  without  rustling  the  underwood  and  causing  certain 
discovery ;  and  to  encounter  the  lad,  would  at  once  alarm  the 
whole  tribe.  He  had  no  alternative  but  to  remain  almost 
breathless  behind  the  trunk  of  a  large  tree,  where  he  was 
standing ;  and,  almost  beyond  his  hopes,  he  had  the  satisfac- 
tion of  seeing  the  young  Indian  pass  but  a  few  paces  from 
him,  without  a  suspicion  of  his  proximity.  Atherton  was 
watching  his  retreat  with  feelings  of  gratitude  for  his  own 
preservation,  when  he  was  suddenly  startled  by  a  strain  of 
sweet  music,  which  roused  him  from  his  position,  and  made 
him  almost  forget  the  necessity  of  still  further  caution.  It 
was  a  female  voice,  and  he  was  too  distant  to  distinguish  even 
the  language ;  but  it  sounded  familiar  to  his  ear,  and  thrilled 
his  heart  with  indefinable  emotion.  Presently  it  ceased  ;  he 
looked  around,  but  no  person  was  visible  ;  and  at  that  mo- 
ment, the  door  of  the  wigwam  was  again  opened,  and  an  In- 


PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  391 

dian  girl  came  to  the  entrance,  holding  a  torch  of  bark  in  her 
hand.  The  flame  streamed  bright  and  far,  glancing  on  a 
copse  of  trees,  from  whence  the  voice  had  seemed  to  issue ; 
and  as  Atherton  gazed  intently,  he  saw  the  branches  slightly 
agitated,  and  a  tall  female  Indian  emerge  from  their  recesses. 
She  walked  with  a  slow  and  dignified  step  towards  the  hut; 
and  speaking  with  her  young  companion,  they  entered  it  to- 
gether, and  closed  the  aperture  with  a  mat.  A  few  straggling 
rays  of  light  broke  through  the  crevices,  but  all  beside  was 
darkness  and  silence.  With  feelings  which  he  did  not  at- 
tempt to  analyze,  Atherton  left  his  retreat,  and  instinctively, 
rather  than  with  any  settled  design,  bent  his  way  towards  the 
grove.  He  had  scarcely  reached  it,  when  the  same  entranc- 
ing melody  again  burst  upon  his  ear,  and  a  voice  to  which  he 
had  often  listened  with  delight,  distinctly  sung  the  words 
which  had  been  taught  by  the  lips  of  love.  Atherton  stood 
transfixed,  and  with  superstitious  awe  almost  believed  some 
spirit  of  the  air  was  hovering  near,  and  cheating  him  with 
sounds  which  filled  him  with  transport,  even  in  the  midst  of 
peril.  Half  afraid  of  destroying  the  sweet  illusion,  he  re- 
mained motionless,  and  vainly  striving  to  catch  a  glimpse  of 
the  invisible  songstress.  The  first  stanza  had  ceased,  and 
with  more  tremulous  tones  she  was  commencing  another, 
when  Atherton,  convinced  it  was  no  delusion,  darted  through 
the  yielding  branches,  and,  seated  in  a  natural  alcove  of  vines 
and  interwoven  trees  in  the  centre  of  the  copse,  he  beheld  a 
figure,  which  even  in  the  imperfect  starlight,  could  not  be 
mistaken  by  a  lover's  eye.  So  sudden  was  his  approach, 
that  she  had  scarcely  time  to  spring  from  her  grassy 
couch,  before  she  felt  herself  pressed  with  emotion  to  his 
heart. 

•  My  own  beloved  Miriam,'  said  Atherton,  '  is  it  here  I  find 
you,  encircled  by  dangers,  and  devoted  to  death  ? ' 


392  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

Miriam's  head  drooped  faintly  on  his  shoulder,  and  relieved 
by  his  voice  from  the  terror  and  surprise  which  at  first  over- 
powered her,  she  attempted  to  speak  ;  but  her  words  were  in- 
articulate, and  she  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears.  He  felt  her 
cling  more  closely  to  his  arm,  as  if  afraid  he  would  escape 
from  her,  and  deeply  touched  by  her  distress  and  confiding 
tenderness,  he  was  unable  for  some  moments  to  offer  a  word 
of  consolation  or  hope. 

'  Dearest  Miriam,'  he  said,  at  length,  '  speak  to  me  again  ; 
let  me  once  more  hear  your  voice,  that  I  may  be  assured  this 
is  no  illusion.' 

'  Atherton,'  returned  Miriam,  '  why  are  you  here  ?  why 
am  I  so  weak,  so  selfish  as  to  detain  you  ?  Fly,'  she  passion- 
ately added,  '  and  preserve  a  life  dearer  to  me  than  my  own 
existence  !  ' 

'  I  go,'  he  replied,  '  and  you,  dear  Miriam,  shall  be  the 
companion  of  my  flight;  let  us  hasten  ;  time  is  precious,  and 
a  moment's  delay  may  prove  fatal.' 

He  gently  urged  her  forward  as  he  spoke ;  but  firmly  re- 
sisting him,  she  said,  in  an  accent  of  earnest  entreaty, — 

'  Dearest  Atherton,  as  you  love  me,  hasten  from  this  dread- 
ful spot ;  you  cannot  remain  here  undiscovered  ;  you  will  fall 
a  victim  to  your  imprudent  affection  ;  go,  and  intercede  for 
our  exchange;  Mononotto  cannot  prove  inexorable;  but  I 
must  not  flee  with  you,  and  leave  the  innocent  partner  of  my 
captivity  in  the  power  of  these  incensed  savages.' 

'Miriam,'  returned  Atherton,  'Providence  has  guided  me 
to  you,  and  do  you  refuse  the  life  thus  mercifully  reprieved  ? 
But  I  will  not  be  selfish  in  my  anxiety  for  you ;  a  boat  waits 
to  receive  us,  let  me  place  you  in  it  in  safety,  and  I  will  re- 
turn for  your  companion.' 

'  Life  is  but  too  sweet  to  me,'  said  Miriam,  '  and  for  your 
sake,  Atherton,  as  well  as  my  own,  I  would  do  much  to  pro- 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

long  it ;  but  it  is  impossible,  on  the  terras  you  offer;  the  night 
is  already  far  spent,  and  the  council  fires  burn  faintly  :  before 
you  can  return,  my  flight  must  be  discovered,  and  I  well  know 
my  poor  companion  would  be  instantly  sacrificed  to  the  sa- 
chem's fury,— and  you,  how  could  you  escape  his  vengeance  ? 
dear  Atherton.can  you  wish  me  to  purchase  a  few  brief  years 
at  a  price  which  must  load  them  with  insupportable  misery? 

'  Dear  Miriam,'  said  Atherton,  earnestly,  '  this  is  no  time 
to  indulge  fastidious  scruples ;  let  me  but  see  you  in  a  place 
of  safety,  and  I  will  soon  rejoin  you,  with  the  object  of  your 
kind  solicitude.' 

'•Never,'  said  Miriam,  '  can  I  yield  to  so  wild,  so  danger- 
ous a  proposal ;  leave  me,  I  conjure  you,  while  it  is  yet  in 
your  power,  and  if  you  love  me,  Atherton,  seek  not  to  with- 
draw my  weak  heart  from  its  duty.' 

'  Are  you  aware,  Miriam,'  asked  Atherton,  with  emotion, 
'  of  the  consequences  of  your  refusal  ?  do  you  know  that  these 
inhuman  savages  have  rejected  all  our  offers,  all  our  entrea- 
ties to  ransom  you,  and  that  they  persist  in  devoting  you  to  a 
long  captivity,  if  not  to  death  ?  ' 

'  I  know  all,'  replied  Miriam,  with  an  involuntary  shudder; 
'  yet  even  in  this  hour  of  extremity,  I  would  not  forfeit  the 
approbation  of  Heaven,  and  of  my  own  conscience,  for  aught 
which  the  world  can  offer  me  ;  no,  Atherton,  rather  would  I 
endeavor  to  submit  my  fate  with  perfect  confidence  to  Him, 
who  can  even  yet  work  out  my  deliverance,  or  give  me  strength 
to  suffer  His  will  with  Christian  fortitude  and  resignation.' 

'  Tell  me,  at  least,  dear  Miriam,'  said  Atherton,  with  ex- 
treme agitation,  '  where  is  your  fellow-prisoner  ?  I  will  seek 
her  out, — will  bring  her  to  you, — and  in  the  darkness  of  night 
we  may  yet  escape  in  safety.' 

'  Think  not  of  it,"  said  Miriam,  with  clasped  hands,  and  a 
voice  of  entreaty;  'she  is  in  the  wigwam  of  Mononotto,  the 


PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 


women  watch  over  her,  and  your  appearance  would  instantly 
raise  a  note  of  alarm,  and  surround  you  with  enemies.  Dear- 
est Atherton,  by  all  the  kindness  you  have  shown  me,  by  all 
the  love  you  profess  for  me,  I  beseech  you  to  depart  and  leave 
me!' 

'  Never,  my  beloved  Miriam  ! '  exclaimed  Atherton  ;  '  we 
will  escape  together,  or  I  will  remain  and  share  your  destiny  ; 
in  bonds,  in  suffering,  in  death,  we  will  not  be  disunited.' 

He  pressed  her  hand  passionately  to  his  heart  and  lips,  and 
before  she  was  aware  of  his  intention,  -rushed  precipitately 
from  the  grove. 

With  flying  footsteps  Atherton  approached  the  wigwam 
•which  had  recently  attracted  his  curiosity,  rightly  judging  it 
to  be  the  abode  of  Mononotto.  The  mat  was  removed  from 
the  entrance,  displaying  the  interior  of  the  dwelling  lighted 
by  several  torches  ;  and  the  first  object  which  he  saw,  was  a 
young  Indian  woman,  whom  he  instantly  recognized  as  the 
same  who  had  conveyed  to  him  the  scrawl  of  Miriam,  and 
who,  he  felt  assured  was  the  wife  of  Cushminaw.  She  was 
sitting  on  the  ground,  singing  in  a  low  voice,  and  plaiting  a 
basket  of  reeds  ;  beside  her  stood  an  English  girl  of  about 
ten  years  old,  looking  at  her  fingers  as  she  twisted  the  slender 
twigs ;  and  two  or  three  children  reclining  on  mats  which 
were  spread  around  the  room,  apparently  too  frolicsome  to 
sleep,  were  raising  their  laughing  dark  faces,  and  chattering 
in  their  uncouth  language.  Atherton  thought  the  moment 
propitious,  and  without  hesitation  sprang  into  the  midst  of  the 
group.  The  squaw  darted  from  the  ground,  and  uttering  a  cry 
of  alarm,  was  on  the  point  of  rushing  through  the  aperture, 
when  Atherton  grasped  her  arm,  exclaiming, — 

'  Fly  not  from  me ;  it  is  Cushminaw,  who  has  sent  me  to 
thee,  and  here  is  the  token  of  his  remembrance.'  And  he 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  395 

took  the  wampum   from   his  bosom,  and  presented  her  as  he 
spoke. 

'  It  is  my  husband's,  he  lives ! '  said  the  woman,  almost 
with  a  scream  of  joy;  and  she  pressed  it  to  her  lips,  with  the 
utmost  tenderness,  though  trembling  with  terror  and  surprise. 
'  He  does  ; '  replied  Atherton,  '  suffer  me  to  bear  away  this 
child,  and  by  the  dawn  of  another  day,  he  shall  be  with  you 
in  safety.' 

The  squaw  drew  the  amazed  girl  towards  her,  and  seemed 
hesitating  between  fear  and  inclination,  when  a  mat  at  the 
other  end  of  the  apartment  was  drawn  aside,  and  the  tall  In- 
dian woman  entered  whom  Atherton  had  before"  seen  ;  proba- 
bly attracted  by  the  cries  of  her  children,  who  had  not  ceased 
to  scream  since  his  alarming  appearance.  Atherton  felt  that 
nothing  but  instant  speed  would  avail  him,  and  raising  the  cap- 
tive girl  in  his  arms,  he  bore  her  rapidly  onward,  to  the  grove 
where  he  had  parted  from  Miriam  Grey. 

Miriam  had  remained  almost  stupefied  by  his  sudden  de- 
parture, and  so  brief  was  his  absence,  that  she  had  scarcely 
rallied  her  spirits,  and  followed  him  to  the  entrance  of  the 
wood,  when  she  met  him  returning  with  his  welcome  bur- 
then. 

'  Lean  on  me,  dear  Miriam  ; '  said  Atherton,  drawing  her 
arm  through  his ;  '  let  us  move  with  speed  and  caution,  and  I 
trust  we  shall  yet  be  in  safety,  before  they  can  overtake  us.' 

'  Where  are  we  going  ?  '  asked  the  child,  hardly  recovered 
from  her  astonishment. 

«  Home,'  said  Miriam, *softly,  '  if  it  is  the  will  of  Heaven  ; 
but  be  silent,  Rachel,  or  they  will  hear  our  voices  and  pur- 
sue us.' 

For  a  few  moments  they  kept  on  their  way,  silently  and 
swiftly,  when  Miriam  suddenly  grasped  the  hand  of  Ather- 
ton, convulsively,  and  murmured  in  a  suppressed  voice, — 


896  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

'Hark!  I  hear  their  footsteps  approaching;  oh,   Atherton, 
they  are  surely  near  us.' 

She  had  scarcely  finished  speaking,  when  the  dreadful  yell 
of  the  Indians,  reverberated  through  the  forest;  Atherton 
threw  his  arm  around  Miriam  to  protect  and  assist  her,  and 
they  pressed  forward  with  a  speed  and  strength,  which  des- 
pair only  could  give  them.  Atherton  alternately  carried  the 
child,  and  led  her  by  the  hand,  always  careful  to  keep  the 
beaten  path  in  view,  and  so  great  was  the  fatigue  of  each  one 
of  them,  that  at  times,  it  seemed  impossible  to  proceed. — 
When  the  voices  of  their  pursuers  sounded  more  distant, 
they  would  stop  for  an  instant's  repose,  and  then  proceed  with 
renewed  strength ;  till  at  length,  with  inexpressible  delight, 
and  almost  contrary  to  their  hopes,  they  heard  the  murmur- 
ing of  the  river,  and  in  a  moment  its  waters  burst  upon  their 
sight  !  With  a  transport  of  gratitude,  Atherton  beheld  the 
little  cove  and  the  boat  waiting  his  return ;  when,  suddenly 
the  shouts  of  the  savages  were  redoubled,  and  they  rushed 
furiously  from  the  covert  of  the  forest.  At  sight  of  the  dread- 
ful Indians,  the  cowardly  Dutchman,  insensible  to  every  thing 
but  his  personal  safety,  pushed  rapidly  from  the  shore,  and  in 
an  instant,  gained  the  middle  of  the  stream.  Atherton's  feet 
already  pressed  the  strand ;  but  in  vain  he  called  to  the  boat- 
man, in  a  voice  of  agony  ;  he  was  utterly  disregarded  ;  and 
in  the  impulse  of  the  moment,  he  was  about  to  plunge  into 
the  waves  with  his  unfortunate  companions,  whom  he  still 
firmly  grasped,  and  endeavor  to  reach  the  boat,  or  perish  in 
the  attempt.  But  they  were  immediately  surrounded  by  the 
Indians,  and  overpowered  by  numbers.  Atherton  was  obliged 
to  submit  to  their  will,  though  he  long  resisted  their  attempts 
to  separate  him  from  Miriam.  She  was  rudely  torn  from  his 
arms,  and  with  Rachel,  hurried  from  his  sight.  With  a  yell 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  397 

of  savage  triumph,  they  led  him,  exhausted,   to  the   fort  of 
Sassacus. 

But  it  is  necessary  to  leave  him,  for  a  time,  and  revert  to 
the  period  of  Miriam  Grey's  departure  from  Boston ;  which 
will  form  the  subject  of  the  following  chapter. 


34 


398  PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 


Yet  those  untutored  tribes, 


Bound  with  their  stern  resolves  and  savage  deeds 
Some  gentler  virtues ;  as  beneath  the  gloom 
Of  overshadowing  forests,  sweetly  springs 
The  unexpected  flower. 

TKAITS  OF  THE  ABORIGINES  OF  AMERICA. 


MIRIAM  GREY  felt  almost  abandoned  by  hope,  when  she  found 
herself  again  launched  on  the  mighty  deep,  and  through  her 
last  flowing  tears,  beheld  Major  Atherton,  lingering  on  the 
receding  shore,  and  watching  her,  as  she  well  knew,  with  a 
heart  full  of  sorrow  and  anxiety.  The  bright  visions  of  her 
youthful  fancy  were  fading  away,  the  hitherto  gay  and  peace- 
ful stream  of  her  existence  was  suddenly  darkened  by  storms, 
and  its  future  course  appeared  cheerless  and  dreary  as  the 
wilderness  they  were  approaching.  But  in  the  midst  of  these 
early  trials,  Miriam  felt  the  consciousness  of  performing  her 
duty  an  unfailing  support  and  consolation ;  and  fearful  of 
paining  her  cousin  by  the  least  appearance  of  unhappiness, 
she  successfully  exerted  her  cheerfulness  and  resolution,  and 
soon  again,  became  the  animated  companion,  the  affectionate 
and  devoted  friend.  Mrs.  Weldon  perfectly  understood  her 
feelings,  and  fully  appreciated  the  sacrifice  she  had  made  ; 
and,  with  judicious  tenderness,  she  sought  out  objects  to 
amuse,  and  pursuits  to  interest  her.  '  She  has  left  country  and 
home,  to  share  my  humble  fortunes,'  was  her  frequent  reflec- 
tion ;  and,  with  the  confidence  of  a  heart  which  had  loved 
without  disappointment,  she  believed  that  the  generous  sacri- 
fice of  Miriam  would  be  rewarded,  and  that  a  temporary  ab- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  399 

sence  would  wean  her  from  an  object  whom  she  could  not  love 
without  involving  herself  in  still  deeper  misery. 

Their  voyage  was  prosperous  and  short,  and  notwithstand- 
ing the  advanced  season,  they  suffered  little  either  from  cold 
or  sickness.  The  military  settlement  of  Saybrook,  at  the 
mouth  of  Connecticut  river,  was  the  first  inhabited  spot  they 
approached  ;  the  vessel  put  in  there  to  give  and  receive  in- 
formation ;  and  with  considerable  alarm,  they  discovered  the 
critical  state  of  the  garrison,  which  was  then  hard  pressed  by 
the  enemy,  who  had  destroyed  the  out-buildings,  and  every 
thing  without  the  impalement,  or  beyond  the  guns  of  the  fort. 
Mr.  Weldon  re-embarked,  with  all  expedition,  for  the  remain- 
der of  their  voyage  ;  and  it  was  not  until  they  ascended  the 
noble  stream,  that  Mrs.  Weldon  and  Miriam  could  realize 
how  savage  and  uncultivated  was  the  country,  which  would 
soon  become  their  abode.  The  imagination  of  each  had 
formed  a  picture  of  its  own,  and  Mr.  Weldon  sometimes 
smiled  at  their  remarks,  which  showed  how  widely  they  dif- 
fered from  the  reality.  On  each  side  of  them  were  lofty  and 
impenetrable  forests  ; — and  except  where  here  and  there  the 
Indian  hunter  had  felled  a  few  trees  to  kindle  his  watch-fires, 
or  form  his  slight  canoe,  and  occasionally,  a  deserted  wigwam 
appeared  hanging  on  some  aerial  height,  or  half  hid  by  the 
leafless  trees  of  the  valley, — all  remained  in  the  magnificent 
wildness  and  solitude  of  nature.  On  those  rich  and  variega- 
ted shores,  where  cities  now  present  their  glittering  spires, 
and  villages  peep  forth  amidst  their  sunny  glades  and  culti- 
vated hills,  the  footsteps  of  man  had  seldom  wakened  the 
slumbering  echoes  of  the  forest ;  and  the  dashing  of  the  wa- 
ters, the  moaning  of  the  winds,  and  the  screams  of  the  feath- 
ered tribes  which  fled,  on  startled  wing  at  sight  of  the  solitary 
bark,  alone  reverberated  through  their  deep  recesses.  Herds 
of  wild  deer  and  other  animals  which  were  browsing  on  the 


400  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

wintry  stubble,  or  drinking  the  transparent  waves,  stopped  to 
gaze  at  them,  a  moment,  as  they  passed,  and  then  bounded 
swiftly  back,  to  the  thick  covert  of  their  native  woods. 

After  proceeding  up  the  river  about  fifty  miles,  they  arrived 
in  safety  at  Hartford,  the  place  of  their  destination.  The  late 
season  had  been  one  of  peculiar  trials  to  the  colonists  of  Con- 
necticut, and  the  unusual  scarcity  which  had  prevailed,  re- 
duced many  to  want  and  dependence.  They  also  sustained 
great  losses  in  their  cattle  and  other  possessions,  were  defi- 
cient in  the  necessary  implements  of  agriculture,  and  amidst 
the  perplexing  cares,  and  multiplicity  of  business  attendant 
on  their  settlement,  winter  had  surprised  them,  unprepared 
to  contend  with  its  severity.  Many  of  the  first  planters,  par- 
ticularly of  Hartford,  were  persons  of  fortune  and  considera- 
tion in  their  native  country,  and  therefore  less  able  to  endure 
the  hardships  which  succeeded  their  painful  and  hazardous 
journey  through  the  wilderness,  than  others  who  had  been  less 
delicately  nurtured,  and  unaccustomed  to  the  refinements  of 
life.  Under  such  depressing  circumstances,  their  very  exist- 
ence seemed  uncertain,  and  could  only  have  been  preserved 
by  the  most  resolute  and  persevering  exertions. 

Mr.  Weldon  was  more  prosperous  than  most  of  those  around 
him  ;  and  though  he  shared  many  of  their  misfortunes,  Lois 
who  remembered  the  complicated  calamities  of  the  Plymouth 
settlers  on  their  first  arrival,  often  thought  her  present  priva- 
tions in  comparison,  light  and  trivial.  Miriam  never  for  an 
instant  regretted  accompanying  Mrs.  Weldon  ;  and  though 
she  had  still  many  anxious  thoughts  and  fond  regrets,  they 
were  carefully  confined  to  her  own  breast,  and  she  looked  for- 
ward with  hope  to  the  approaching  spring,  when  her  father 
would  return  to  claim  her.  Satisfied  that  her  cousin  was  hap- 
py, she  anticipated  with  delight,  a  return  to  the  scenes  of  her 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  401 

earliest  pleasures  ;  and  almost  unconsciously,  many  romantic 
visions  mingled  with  her  future  prospects. 

The  winter  passed  away  unmarked  by  any  important  events ; 
an  alarm  was  occasionally  excited  by  the  Indians,  but  they 
confined  their  depredations  principally  to  the  vicinity  of  Say- 
brook,  and  it  was  hoped  the  return  of  Spring  would  produce  a 
cessation  of  hostilities,  and  leave  the  inhabitants  at  liberty  to 
engage  in  the  peaceful  pursuits  of  agriculture,  which  their 
exhausted  resources  rendered  indispensable.  But  these  ex- 
pectations were  disappointed,  and  the  increasing  aggressions 
of  the  Pequod  Indians  rendered  it  necessary  to  adopt  vigor- 
ous measures  to  check  their  insolence,  which  threatened  to 
bring  ruin  upon  the  colonies. 

In  this  situation  of  affairs,  Mr.  Weldon  received  orders  to 
join  the  detachment  under  Captain  Mason,  which  was  sent 
forward  to  reinforce  the  garrison  at  Saybrook.  Mr.  Weldon 
was  anxious  only  for  the  safety  of  his  wife  and  Miriam,  whom 
his  absence  left  destitute  of  a  protector,  at  a  time  when  their 
settlements  were  particularly  exposed  to  the  incursions  of  a 
powerful  enemy.  He  therefore  prevailed  on  them  to  remove 
to  the  house  of  a  relative  in  the  village  of  Weathersfield,  a  few 
miles  distant,  where  he  believed  they  would  be  more  secure 
than  in  his  own  dwelling.  Soon  after  his  departure,  Mrs. 
Weldon  was  attacked  by  severe  indisposition,  which  was 
greatly  aggravated  by  continual  solicitude  for  her  husband's 
safety,  and  confined  long  to  her  own  apartment.  Miriam 
watched  beside  her  with  unwearied  assiduity  ;  but  as  Lois  be- 
came convalescent,  she  sometimes  stole  from  her  sick  cham- 
ber, to  enjoy  that  exercise  in  the  open  air,  which  was  neces- 
sary to  the  preservation  of  her  own  health.  One  morning  she 
had  extended  her  walk  to  a  considerable  distance  with  Rachel 
the  daughter  of  her  host ;  and  in  returning  through  a  large 
field,  where  many  of  the  inhabitants  were  at  labor,  they  were 
34* 


402  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

surprised  by  the  fearful  yell  of  the  Indians.  In  an  instant  a 
multitude  started  from  the  shelter  of  trees,  where  they  had  lain 
in  ambush,  and  surrounded  the  unfortunate  people,  who  were 
unable  to  offer  any  effectual  resistance  to  their  overwhelming 
numbers.  Miriam  on  the  first  alarm,  grasped  the  hand  of  Ra- 
chel, and  with  flying  footsteps,  endeavored  to  reach  a  place  of 
safety  ;  but  they  were  arrested  by  the  barbarians,  who  with 
menacing  gestures  commanded  them  to  remain  still.  Over- 
come by  terror,  Miriam  fell  lifeless  on  the  ground ;  and  a  long 
insensibility  spared  her  the  misery  of  witnessing  the  dreadful 
scene  which  ensued.  The  savages  cruelly  murdered  several 
men,  and  three  defenceless  women,  who  were  planting  in  the 
field,  killed  their  cattle  and  horses,  and  pillaged  and  destroyed 
every  thing  which  came  in  their  way. 

When  Miriam  Gray  recovered  her  recollection,  she  found 
herself  lying  in  a  canoe,  filled  with  the  Pequods,  armed  and 
frightfully  painted, — and  Rachel  leaning  over  her,  weeping 
bitterly,  believing  she  would  never  revive.  Miriam  gently 
pressed  her  hand,  but  feeling  her  strength  quite  exhausted, 
closed  her  eyes,  almost  hoping  she  should  not  survive  to  en- 
dure a  cruel  captivity,  and  perhaps  lingering  death.  But  the 
sobs  of  the  affectionate  girl  who  hung  round  her  neck,  fearing 
she  had  indeed  ceased  to  breathe,  again  aroused  her,  and  by 
a  painful  effort,  she  exerted  herself  to  sit  upright,  and  speak  a 
few  words  of  comfort  to  her.  The  Indians  showed  some  pity 
for  their  distress  ;  they  gave  them  water  to  drink  from  a  large 
clam  shell,  and  refrained  from  binding  them,  satisfied  they 
were  perfectly  secure.  Miriam  was  sometimes  inclined  to 
draw  encouragement  from  these  favors  ;  but  when  she  looked 
round  upon  their  fierce  and  savage  countenances,  and  heard 
their  discordant  voices,  her  heart  was  chilled  with  apprehen- 
sion, and  she  felt  convinced  that  a  signal  interference  of  Prov- 
ence alone,  could  save  them  from  the  moit  dreadful  fate. 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  403 

She  learned  from  Rachel  that  they  had  been  preserved  from 
immediate  death,  by  the  intervention  of  a  chief,  whom  they 
called  Mononotto ;  but  whatever  had  induced  him  to  show  so 
much  forbearance,  the  sternness  of  his  countenance  forbade 
her  to  expect  much  from  his  compassion. 

The  Indians  who  were  engaged  in  this  dreadful  expedition 
amounted  to  about  a  hundred  ;  they  filled  three  bark  canoes, 
and  glided  down  the  river  with  astonishing  rapidity,  lightly 
dancing  over  the  waves  which  were  scarcely  parted  by  the 
slender  keels.  Before  dark  Miriam  found  they  were  ap- 
proaching the  mouth  of  the  river,  and  she  soon  perceived  the 
walls  of  fort  Saybrook,  and  distinguished  the  motions  of  the 
guard,  and  their  arms  glittering  in  the  sunbeams.  She  de- 
termined, if  possible,  to  make  some  signal  to  the  English,  and 
her  heart  bounded  with  the  hope  that  they  would  effect  their 
rescue.  But  Mononotto  and  his  savage  warriors  completely 
surrounded  their  captives,  to  hide  them  from  observation,  and 
so  entirely  excluded  every  object  from  their  view  that  they 
could  not  ascertain  even  when  they  passed  the  fort.  The  In- 
dians after  a  short  consultation,  which  was  succeeded  by  a 
dead  silence,  bore  off  rapidly  to  the  opposite  shore.  The  gar- 
rison at  Saybrook  closely  observed  their  motions,  and  con- 
cluding they  were  bent  on  some  work  of  mischief,  Captain 
Mason  ordered  a  heavy  discharge  of  artillery.  Though  at  a 
great  distance  they  aimed  with  such  precision  at  the  canoe 
where  Mononotto  stood  erect  before  his  prisoners,  distinguish- 
ed by  his  gaudy  plumes  and  haughty  mien,  that  the  ball 
struck  off  the  beak  head  ;  and  for  an  instant  it  seemed  on  the 
verge  of  sinking.  Miriam  had  scarcely  recovered  from  the 
shock,  before  the  Indians,  by  redoubling  the  strokes  of  their 
paddles  arrived  at  the  opposite  shore,  and  hastening  from 
their  canoes  they  drew  the  frail  vessels  over  a  narrow  beach, 
and  launched  them  on  the  waters  of  the  sound.  The  guns  of^ 


404  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

the  fort  could  no  longer  reach  them,  and  with  one  consent 
they  uttered  a  shout  of  defiance  which  reached  the  ears  of  the 
garrison,  who,  with  regret  and  mortification,  discovered  the 
English  maidens  when  it  was  too  late  to  attempt  their  deliv- 
erance. 

The  Indians  rowed  incessantly  till  nearly  midnight,  pro- 
bably apprehensive  of  pursuit,  and  without  any  refreshment, 
except  a  little  parched  corn,  which  they  carried  in  a  leather 
pouch.  They  occasionally  mixed  some  of  it  powdered,  with 
water,  for  drink,  and  always  offered  a  portion  to  their  cap- 
tives, but  they  felt  no  inclination  to  taste  it.  Poor  Rachel  at 
length  fell  asleep  on  Miriam's  lap,  who  almost  envied  the  re- 
pose which  a  keen  sense  of  misery  prevented  her  enjoying, 
and  which  continued  undisturbed  till  they  entered  the  Pequod 
harbor.  The  inhabitants  of  the  Indian  village  were  soon 
roused  from  their  slumbers,  and  in  the  clear  moonlight,  Mir- 
iam perceived  a  multitude  of  every  age  and  sex  approaching 
the  shore,  eager  to  welcome  the  returning  warriors.  She 
shrunk  trembling  from  the  gaze  of  savage  curiosity,  and  gent- 
ly awoke  her  sleeping  companion,  who  had  till  then  remained 
insensible  to  what  was  passing  around  her.  The  child,  start- 
led from  a  sweet  slumber,  and  at  first  unable  to  comprehend 
her  situation,  began  to  weep  from  alarm,  which  seemed  ex- 
tremely diverting  to  the  Indians,  who  laughed  at  her  distress, 
and  attempted  to  mimic  her  voice  and  gestures.  Miriam  was 
endeavoring  to  console  her,  when  Cushminaw  the  adopted  son 
of  Mononotto,  stepped  forward  from  the  crowd  with  an  air  of 
authority  and  displeasure  which  checked  their  savage  mirth  ; 
and  approaching  the  captives,  said  to  them, — 

'  Be  comforted,  young  maidens  ;  follow  me  to  my  mother's 
wigwam.' 

Miriam  started  almost  with  a  cry  of  joy,  on  hearing  her 
native  language  in  such  a  place  ;  and  reading  a  compassion- 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  405 

ate  interest  in  the  countenance  of  the  young  Indian,  unhesi- 
tatingly prepared  to  follow  him.  Mononotto,  who  had  been 
absent  from  the  spot,  at  that  moment  re-appeared,  and  ad- 
dressed a  few  words  to  Cushminaw;  he  listened  to  him  with 
profound  respect,  and  then  turning  again  to  Miriam  and  Ra- 
chel, silently  motioned  them  to  proceed  with  him.  The  wig- 
wam of  Mononotto  had  been  recently  erected,  and  stood  re- 
mote from  the  village  ;  as  they  approached  it,  Miriam  observ- 
ed through  the  open  entrance  a  female  busied  over  a  large 
fire  in  some  culinary  preparation.  She  started  with  surprise 
as  her  unexpected  guests  entered  the  apartment,  and  stood  a 
moment  surveying  them  attentively,  and  with  an  air  of  gen- 
tleness and  pity,  rather  than  of  curiosity. 

Miriam  on  her  part  regarded  the  Indian  female  with  invol- 
untary admiration.  She  had  scarcely  passed  the  season  of 
youth,  and  her  mature  and  noble  figure,  at  once  dignified  and 
graceful,  possessed  that  vigor  and  elasticity  so  peculiar  to  the 
natives  of  the  forest ;  while  her  regular  features,  her  soft  and 
intelligent  countenance,  expressed  a  mind  susceptible  of  ele- 
vated sentiments,  and  a  heart  warmed  by  the  gentlest  affec- 
tions of  her  sex. 

Cushminaw  cautiously  drew  a  mat  over  the  aperture  through 
which  they  entered,  and  advancing  close  to  his  adopted  mo- 
ther with  very  earnest  gesticulation,  entered  into  conversation 
with  her.  When  they  had  finished  speaking,  the  wife  of 
Mononotto  approached  the  captives,  and  taking  a  hand  of  each 
in  her  own,  she  said, — 

•  Do  not  fear,  white  daughters,  Mioma  will  care  for  you  ; 
she  will  speak  to  Mononotto  that  no  harm  come  nigh  you.' 

Miriam,  encouraged  by  the  voice  of  kindness,  clasped  her 
hands  energetically,  and  replied  in  a  tone  of  entreaty,— 

'  If  you  have  pity  for  us,  entreat  that  we  may  be  sent  back 
t  o  our  home  and  friends.' 


406  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

'  We  will  speak  for  you,'  said  Cushminaw  ;  '  it  may  be  my 
father  will  listen  to  our  voice.' 

Grateful  for  this  unexpected  favor,  Miriam  attempted  to  re- 
ply, but  her  spirits  were  weakened  by  fatigue  and  misery,  and 
for  the  first  time  during  that  anxious  day  of  captivity,  her 
tears  flowed  abundantly,  and  prevented  her  utterance.  Mioma 
seemed  grieved  by  her  distress  ;  she  spread  a  soft  new  mat, 
gently  urged  her  to  sit  down,  and  when  she  began  to  smile 
through  her  tears,  expressed  her  delight  by  patting  her  cheeks, 
and  stroking  the  hair  from  her  forehead  ;  and  appeared  great- 
ly to  admire  her  beauty. 

Cushminaw  soon  after  left  the  wigwam,  and  Mioma  per- 
ceiving her  captives  were  faint  for  want  of  nourishment,  has- 
tened to  set  before  them  a  portion  of  the  mess  she  had  been 
preparing.  It  consisted  of  corn,  coarsely  broken  and  boiled 
with  fish,  dressed  without  salt,  of  which  the  Indians  were  en- 
tirely ignorant.  This  unsavory  repast  was  served  up  in  an 
earthern  pitkin,  with  no  instruments  for  eating  but  the  hands, 
and  was  altogether  so  repugnant  to  their  appetites,  that  they 
could  with  difficulty  swallow  a  few  kernels  of  corn  to  satisfy 
the  calls  of  nature.  Mioma  in  the  meantime  busied  herself 
in  arranging  an  apartment  for  her  guests  ;  for  though  a  wig- 
wam seldom  contained  more  than  one  room  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  a  whole  family,  she  knew  it  was  not  agreeable  to 
the  customs  of  the  white  people,  and  a  native  delicacy  taught 
her  to  consult  the  feelings  of  those  who  were  cast  on  her  hos- 
pitality. Her  simple  arrangements  were  soon  completed  ; 
and  exhausted  by  the  events  of  the  day,  Miriam  and  Rachel 
threw  themselves  on  the  thick  mats  which  were  spread  on 
the  ground,  and  covered  with  the  skins  of  wild  animals  soon 
fell  into  a  profound  repose. 

It  was  late  when  they  awoke  on  the  following  morning  ;  and 
as  Miriam  looked  round  the  singular  apartment,  and  with 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  407 

painful  sensations,  recalled  the  circumstances,  which  had 
brought  her  there,  a  mat  was  slowly  drawn  aside,  and  the 
merry  face  of  an  Indian  child  thrust  through  the  aperture. 
As  soon  as  it  caught  Miriam's  eye,  it  hastily  retreated,  but 
presently  reappeared  with  another,  and  they  continued  their 
sportive  gambols,  till  called  away  by  the  voice  of  their  mother. 
Miriam  trembled  at  the  idea  of  encountering  the  haughty 
Mononotto  ;  but  after  listening  attentively,  and  hearing  only 
the  children  and  Mioma,  singing  to  her  pappoose,  she  ventur- 
ed to  leave  her  room,  and  join  them.  Kachel,  refreshed  by 
sleep,  almost  forgot  her  late  alarms ;  and  too  young  to  realize 
the  perils  of  her  situation,  with  the  simplicity  of  her  happy 
age,  she  believed  herself  perfectly  secure,  while  in  the  pre- 
sence of  Miriam.  Mioma  received  them  kindly,  and  set  be- 
fore them  a  repast  similar  to  that  of  the  preceding  evening, 
with  the  addition  of  a  cake  of  pounded  corn,  dried  by  the  fire, 
which  they  found  rather  more  palatable.  She  spoke  English 
imperfectly,  but  endeavored  to  encourage  them  with  the  hopes 
of  release,  and  to  assure  them  they  were  in  no  immediate 
danger. 

Several  days  passed  away,  without  any  important  occur- 
rence ;  Mononotto  spent  most  of  his  time  in  hunting  and  fish- 
ing ;  and  when  in  the  wigwam,  never  intruded  upon  his  pris- 
oners, if  they  were  inclined  to  remain  in  their  own  apartment. 
He  was  satisfied  that  they  were  safe,  under  the  charge  of 
Mioma,  who  would  not  suffer  them  to  escape,  and  seemed 
willing  to  allow  them  every  indulgence  in  his  power.  The 
miseries  of  captivity  were  mitigated  by  this  lenient  treatment ; 
but  to  Miriam,  time  wore  tediously  away,  and  days  were 
wearisome  as  ages.  Fears  for  her  personal  safety  were  ab- 
sorbed in  anxiety  for  her  friends  ;  the  grief  of  her  father,  of 
Lois,  of  Atherton,  were  continually  present  to  her  imagination, 
preyed  upon  her  spirits,  and  at  times  reduced  her  to  the  verge 


408  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

of  sickness.  Mioma,  was  unwearied  in  her  attentions,  and 
endeavored  by  every  means,  to  render  her  situation  comfort- 
able ;  and  in  gratitude  for  her  kindness,  Miriam  often  assum- 
ed an  air  of  cheerfulness,  which  was  foreign  to  her  feelings. 

About  a  week  after  the  captivity  of  Miriam  and  her  com- 
panion, a  Dutch  vessel  was  seen  coasting  off  the  Pequod  har- 
bor. The  Indians  could  not  omit  the  opportunity  of  showing 
their  hatred  to  the  white  people,  and  sent  out  several  canoes 
to  attack  them ;  the  affray  ended  in  the  capture  of  Cushmi- 
naw,  and  many  other  brave  young  warriors  of  his  tribe,  beside 
several  killed  and  severely  wounded.  Nothing  could  exceed 
the  rage  of  the  savages,  on  this  occasion  ;  and  with  one  voice, 
they  called  upon  Mononotto  to  sacrifice  the  English  maidens 
to  their  revenge.  Mioma  had  become  exceedingly  attached 
to  them,  and  even  the  stern  disposition  of  her  husband  was 
softened  into  pity,  for  their  youth  and  misfortunes.  She  was 
also  unwilling  to  condemn  them,  from  an  apprehension,  that 
the  Dutch  would  retaliate  on  their  prisoners,  and  particularly 
on  Cushminaw,  whom  he  loved  with  the  tenderness  of  a  fa- 
ther. While  perplexed  in  what  manner  to  decide,  or  how  to 
evade  the  requisition,  a  council  of  the  nation  was  called,  at 
which  Mononotto  was  summoned  to  appear.  He  well  knew 
the  imperious  Sassacus  would  demand  the  blood  of  his  cap- 
tives, and  was  determined  to  exact  his  submission  ;  for  with- 
out his  consent,  he  dared  not  execute  his  cruel  design,  as 
Mononotto  rightly  claimed  them  for  his  lawful  prize,  and  of 
course,  held  their  lives  at  his  own  disposal. 

On  that  eventful  night,  Miriam,  ignorant  of  what  was  pass- 
ing in  the  fort  of  Sassacus,  remarked  that  the  countenance  of 
Mioma  was  unusually  sad  ; — she  seemed  agitated,  often  look- 
ed out  at  the  door,  and  started  at  the  slightest  noise.  Rachel 
had  retired  early  to  bed  ;  and  Miriam,  left  alone  with  Mioma, 
endeavored  to  draw  from  her  the  cause  of  her  inquietude ; 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  409 

but  she  evaded  her  questions,  and  attributed  her  uneasiness 
to  solicitude  for  the  fate  of  Cushminaw.  Late  in  the  evening, 
Mononotto  returned  to  the  wigwam  ;  he  entered  with  hurried 
steps,  and  his  features  still  wore  the  trace  of  stormy  passions, 
which  had  recently  agitated  them.  He  started  on  seeing  Mi- 
riam, then  rapidly  crossed  the  apartment,  and  stood  for  a  mo- 
ment, regarding  her  with  mingled  sorrow  and  compassion.- 
Miriam  always  trembled  at  his  presence  ;  but  she  now  inter- 
preted his  singular  emotion  as  a  death  warrant ;  and  would 
have  entreated  Mioma  to  speak  with  him  ;  but  could  not  ar- 
ticulate a  word.  Mioma  sprang  from  the  mat,  on  which  she 
was  reclining,  and  seizing  the  Sachem's  arm,  addressed  him 
in  her  own  language,  with  the  most  impassioned  energy.  His 
answer  was  slow  and  emphatic.  Mioma  threw  herself  at  his 
feet ;  she  clasped  his  knees,  tore  the  hair  from  her  head,  and, 
by  the  most  violent  expressions  of  grief,  seemed  endeavoring 
to  shake  his  resolution.  The  countenance  of  Mononotto  re- 
mained inflexible,  and  he  pushed  her,  almost  with  violence 
from  him.  Mioma  rose  from  the  ground,  with  an  air  of  com- 
manding dignity  ;  she  pressed  her  hands  on  her  bosom,  and 
fixing  her  moistened  eyes  sorrowfully  on  her  husband's  face, 
spoke  to  him  long,  with  a  voice  of  the  most  persuasive  ten- 
derness. The  features  of  Mononotto  gradually  relaxed  ;  Mi- 
oma saw  and  pursued  her  advantage.  Suddenly  her  gestures 
became  more  animated,  her  utterance  more  rapid  and  vehe- 
ment ;  she  pointed  frequently  to  Miriam,  and  to  her  children, 
and  at  length,  with  the  mute  eloquence  of  nature,  threw  her- 
self weeping  into  her  husband's  arms.  The  Sachem  gently 
disengaged  himself,  and  standing  proudly  erect,  laid  his  hand 
solemnly  on  his  heart,  and  replied  in  a  few  brief,  but  energetic 
words.  Mioma  uttered  a  joyful  cry,  and  springing  to  Miriam, 
folded  her  in  her  arms,  exclaiming, — 
35 


410  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

'You  are  safe,  my  daughter,  Mononotto  has  promised  that 
no  harm  shall  come  to  you  ! ' 

Miriam  embraced  her  preserver,  again  and  again,  with  tears 
of  heartfelt  gratitude,  and  emotions  too  profound  for  utter- 
ance. She  turned  to  Mononotto, — every  thing  but  his  recent 
kindness  was  forgotten, — and,  kneeling  at  his  feet,  she  bathed 
his  hands  with  her  tears.  The  stern  countenance  of  the  war- 
rior was  for  an  instant,  softened  by  tenderness ;  he  raised  her 
mildly  from  the  ground,  and  led  her  back  to  the  arms  of  Mi- 
oma;  but  ashamed  of  a  weakness  which  is  considered  con- 
temptible by  his  nation,  he  hastily  turned  away  and  silently 
retired  from  the  wigwam. 

Mononotto,  from  that  hour,  faithfully  kept  his  promise,  and 
resolutely  protected  his  captives  from  the  malice  of  his  coun- 
trymen. He  was  too  powerful  and  fearless  to  dread  the  wrath 
even  of  the  inflexible  Sassacus ;  and,  on  his  part,  the  savage 
monarch  dared  not  irritate  his  haughty  Sachem,  particularly 
at  a  moment,  when  he  might  be  tempted  to  revolt  to  the  neigh- 
boring Indians,  who  had  entered  into  alliance  with  the  Eng- 
lish. 

Soon  after  these  events,  Mononotto  went  on  a  hostile  ex- 
pedition to  the  Mohegan  country ;  and  the  disconsolate  wife 
of  Cushminaw  removed  to  his  mother's  wigwam.  Mipma's 
attachment  to  her  prisoners  daily  strengthened,  and  in  return, 
tHey  regarded  her  with  the  most  grateful  affection.  She 
placed  no  restraint  on  their  inclinations,  believing  escape  im- 
possible ;  and,  indeed,  a  dread  of  meeting  the  savages  confined 
them  entirely  to  the  immediate  vicinity  of  their  dwelling. 
Mioma  also  assured  them,  it  was  the  intention  of  Mononotto 
to  send  them  back  to  their  friends,  so  soon  as  an  opportunity 
occurred  of  procuring  Cushminaw  in  exchange.  Sustained 
by  this  hope,  Miriam  became  more  cheerful  and  contented 
than  she  had  conceived  it  possible  to  be  at  the  commencement 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  411 

of  her  captivity  ;  and,  to  employ  her  many  leisure  moments, 
she  acquired  the  art  of  weaving  small  baskets,  and  embroid- 
ering moccasins  with  porcupines'  quills.  The  young  Squaw 
of  Cushminaw  was  her  almost  constant  companion;  and  her 
affectionate  disposition,  the  simplicity  and  gentleness  of  her 
untutored  mind,  interested  Miriam  extremely.  She  had  ac- 
quired a  little  English  from  her  husband,  and  could  speak  it 
more  intelligibly  than  Mioma,  who  was,  besides,  much  en- 
grossed by  her  household  cares,  and  the  labor  of  planting. 
The  indolent  savages  kept  their  women  constantly  engaged 
in  the  fields,  during  the  season  of  tillage  ;  for  they  considered 
such  occupations  beneath  their  own  attention,  and  often  de- 
rided the  English  for  spoiling,  by  indulgence,  creatures  who 
were  formed  for  work,  and  capable  of  rendering  themselves 
so  useful. 

Nearly  three  weeks  passed  away,  without  interruption, 
when  the  Dutch  vessel  arrived  in  the  dominions  of  Sassacus, 
and  the  captives  were  soon  informed  that  a  treaty  was  opened 
for  their  redemption.  With  feelings  agitated  by  suspense  and 
hope,  Miriam  Grey  listened  to  every  rumor  respecting  the 
negotiation ;  and  it  was  to  gratify  her  with  particular  inform- 
ation, that  the  wife  of  Cushminaw  mingled  with  the  women 
who  surrounded  Atherton,  on  the  day  he  was  received  as  an 
hostage.  She  was,  however,  so  closely  watched  by  the  Indi- 
ans, who  knew  her  attachment  to  the  English  maidens,  and 
suspected  she  intended  to  convey  intelligence  of  them,  that 
she  found  it  impossible  to  enter  into  conversation  with  him. 
But  she  had  taken  vigilant  observation  ;  and  Miriam,  with  a 
bounding  heart,  fancied  she  identified  the  person  of  Major 
Atherton  in  her  imperfect  description ;  for  she  was  well  as- 
sured he  would  shun  no  dangers  to  effect  her  rescue,  if  a 
knowledge  of  her  situation  had  by  any  means  reached  him. 
Her  suspicions  were  confirmed  by  the  pen-knife  he  gave  the 


412  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

squaw,  on  which  the  initials  of  his  name  were  engraved,  and 
she  felt  confident  of  having  frequently  seen  it  in  his  possession 
at  Plymouth.  However  gratifying  this  renewed  proof  of  his 
affection,  every  other  feeling  yielded  to  alarm  for  his  safety  ; 
and  destitute  of  proper  materials,  she  wrote  on  a  strip  of  bark, 
with  the  point  of  the  pen-knife,  the  hasty  lines  which  the 
young  Indian  conveyed  to  himt  She  little  suspected  that  he 
Avas  still  acting  upon  uncertainty,  and  that  a  vague  apprehen- 
sion that  dangers  lurked  around  her,  had  alone  led  him  to 
those  savage  shores. 

The  remainder  of  that  day  and  the  following,  Miriam 
passed  in  a  state  of  continual  agitation.  She  could  not  ex- 
pect to  see  Atherton,  nor  did  she  wish  it,  under  such  circum- 
stances ;  but  still,  in  despite  of  reason,  her  cheek  was  flushed 
by  every  approaching  footstep,  and  she  felt  involuntary  sad- 
ness and  disappointment,  when  she  looked  round,  and  he  did 
not  appear.  The  thought,  that  he  was  so  near  her  and  she 
could  not  obtain  one  moment's  interview,  was  a  trial  of  no  or- 
dinary severity.  She  heard,  without  surprise,  that  Sassacus 
had  rejected  the  offers  of  the  Dutch,  and  insisted  on  the  sac- 
rifice of  Mononotto's  captives.  He  deceived  Van  Haarman 
by  asserting  that  the  Sachem  had  returned,  and  yielded  to  his 
wishes  ;  he  was  still  absent,  though  momently  expected,  and 
Miriam  believed  the  savages  would  not  dare  proceed  to  ex- 
tremities, without  his  sanction.  The  evening  of  the  second 
day  arrived  ;  Mononotto  had  not  come  back,  and  she  heard, 
with  trembling,  that  a  council  of  warriors  was  again  convened 
in  the  fort  of  Sassacus.  Mioma  assumed  a  cheerful  air,  and 
endeavored  to  encourage  her  ;  but  the  effort  was  ineffectual, 
and  Miriam  read  in  her  countenance  a  confirmation  of  her 
worst  fears.  The  wife  of  Mononotto  evidently  feared  the  re- 
sult of  that  night's  deliberation  ;  and  Miriam  felt  as  if  the  last 
hope  of  life  was  gliding  from  her,  at  the  very  moment  of  an- 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  413 

ticipated  freedom.  Unwilling  to  damp  the  happiness  of 
Rachel,  by  imparting  her  fears,  and  too  much  depressed  to 
witness  a  joy,  which  might  so  soon  be  turned  into  mourning, 
she  withdrew  from  the  wigwam,  to  commune  with  her  own 
thoughts  in  a  favorite  haunt  of  a  solitary  grove  ;  where  she 
was  soon  after  surprised  by  the  unexpected  appearance  of 
Major  Atherton. 


35* 


414  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

The  fatal  feast  was  o'er : 
And  to  his  doom  the  pinion'd  captive  led. 
******** 

One  brief  interval 

Of  anguished  thought  convuls'd  the  sufferer's  mind : 
That  all  his  honors,  all  his  high  designs, 
All  his  ambition's  concentrated  hopes 
Must  end  by  savage  hands. 

TRAITS  OF  THE  ABORIGINES  OF  AMERICA. 

WHEN  Miriam  Grey  was  torn  from  the  arms  of  Major  Ather- 
ton,  at  the  moment  they  were  so  unfortunately  discovered  in 
attempting  to  escape,  with  the  energy  of  despair  she  endeav- 
ored to  free  herself  from  the  Indian's  grasp,  and,  in  a  voice  of 
agony,  called  repeatedly  and  loudly  upon  his  name.  But  her 
efforts  were  powerless,  and  her  cries  were  drowned  by  the 
shouts  of  the  savages,  who  hurried  Atherton  onward  towards 
the  fort,  which  was  visible  by  the  decaying  watch-fires.  Mi- 
riam felt  that  her  cup  of  misery  was  full ;  but  even  in  that 
fearful  moment,  every  personal  danger  was  disregarded,  and 
the  dreadful  conviction  that  her  lover  must  fall  a  sacrifice  to 
his  generous,  but  rash  exertions  to  save  her,  alone  possessed 
her  imagination,  and  filled  her  with  anguish  and  alarm. — 
With  the  meekness  of  an  habitually  pious  and  submissive 
spirit,  she  lifted  up  her  heart  in  prayer  to  Heaven,  for  its  in- 
terposing mercy  on  his  behalf,  and  for  grace  to  support  her 
own  misfortunes  with  fortitude  and  resignation.  Exhausted 
by  excessive  fatigue  and  excitement,  she  soon  sunk  into  a 
state  almost  of  insensibility,  from  which  she  was  not  aroused, 


PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  415 

even  by  the  loud  lamentations  of  the  affrighted  Rachel,  who 
was  borne  along  in  the  arms  of  a  savage  warrior. 

In  this  situation,  Miriam  was  placed  on  a  litter,  hastily 
formed  of  the  branches  of  trees  ;  and  the  small  band  which 
was  left  to  guard  her,  proceeded  with  quick  but  noiseless  foot- 
steps, along  the  borders  of  the  forest.  Suddenly  the  silence 
was  interrupted  by  the  loud  barking  of  a  dog ;  and  Miriam 
was  started  from  her  lethargy,  by  the  animal's  springing  upon 
her,  whining  and  licking  her  hands  with  every  mark  of  af- 
fectionate recognition.  She  instantly  remembered  the  dumb 
favorite,  and  constant  attendant  of  Mononotto,  which  had 
often  received  her  caresses  in  the  wigwam  of  his  master  ;  and 
raising  herself  to  return  his  salutation,  she  perceived  the  lofty 
figure  of  the  Sachem,  approaching  with  his  train  of  followers, 
and  in  a  moment,  his  well  remembered  voice  sounded  in  her 
ears  like  the  sweet  music  of  returning  hope.  The  Indians 
stopped  immediately  on  seeing  him  ;  and  Miriam,  as  soon  as 
she  found  him  near  her,  sprang  from  the  litter,  and  throw- 
ing herself  before  him,  in  an  attitude  of  supplication,  ex- 
claimed,— 

'  Save  him,  I  entreat  you — fly — they  have  led  him  away  to 
death.' 

Mononotto  started  at  the  unexpected  vision  ;— he  but  im- 
perfectly comprehended  her  meaning,  and  believing  she  was 
entreating  for  her  own  safety,  he  raised  her  from  the  ground, 
and  endeavored  to  pronounce  a  few  words  of  comfort.  The 
image  of  Atherton  was  alone  present  to  the  mind  of  Miriam, 
and  clasping  her  hands,  with  energy  she  continued  :— 

'  I  fear  nothing  for  myself;  rescue  him  who  has  sought  out 
danger  and  death  for  my  sake,  and  I  will  not  shrink  from  any 
sufferings  you  can  inflict  on  me.' 

In  the  agitation  of  her  feelings,  she  forgot  that  the  Sachem 
was  ignorant  of  her  language  ;  he  regarded  her  in  silence  and 


416  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

with  perplexity ;  then  gently  placing  her  in  the  litter,  and 
turning  to  his  people,  addressed  to  them  a  long  harangue,  en- 
forced by  many  emphatic  gestures,  and  often  interrupted  by 
their  replies.  When  he  had  finished,  they  all  proceeded 
towards  his  wigwam,  and  in  a  few  moments  stopped  before 
the  humble  portal.  Mioma  attracted  by  the  noise,  hastened 
to  draw  aside  the  mat  which  covered  the  entrance,  and  with 
mingled  joy  and  apprehension,  perceived  her  husband  sup- 
porting the  two  English  maidens.  She  had  heard  that  their 
flight  was  intercepted,  and  ignorant  of  Mononotto's  return, 
feared  her  incensed  countrymen  would  at  once  sacrifice  them 
to  their  fury. 

Major  Atherton  was  unfortunately  seen,  in  his  attempt  to 
escape  with  the  captives,  by  an  Indian,  who  chanced  to  be 
roving  in  the  forest,  and  who  carefully  concealing  himself 
from  them,  hastened  to  alarm  the  assembled  warriors.  Mo- 
nonotto  returned  from  his  incursion  on  the  Mohegans,  soon 
after  the  fort  was  deserted,  in  the  general  pursuit  after  the 
fugitive.  He  heard  a  few  contradictory  reports  from  those 
whom  he  chanced  to  meet,  but  was  ignorant  of  the  real  truth, 
and  of  Atherton's  capture,  till  he  encountered  Miriam  and  her 
guard  in  the  forest.  With  haughty  displeasure  he  learned  that 
Sassacus  and  his  warriors  had  presumed  to  pass  judgment  on 
his  prisoners,  and  to  refuse  the  offers  of  the  Dutch  to  ransom 
them.  Resolute  in  his  determination  to  exchange  them  for 
Cushminaw  and  his  fellow  prisoners,  he  again  left  Miriam 
and  Rachel  in  the  charge  of  Mioma — whom  he  severely 
reprimanded  for  her  heedlessness  in  permitting  them  to  escape 
— and  returned  to  the  fort  of  Sassacus  to  demand  his  right, 
and  the  acquiescence  of  the  people. 

Mioma  remarked  with  concern,  the  pale  cheek  and  extreme 
dejection  of  Miriam,  and  naturally  attributing  it  to  her  late 
fatigue  and  disappointment,  with  the  solicitude  of  a  fond 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  417 

mother,  she  hastened  to  spread  the  softest  skins,  and  invite 
her  to  repose  and  refreshment.  Miriam  gladly  withdrew, 
even  from  the  eye  of  anxious  affection,  and  with  a  sigh  of 
heart-felt  misery  returned  to  the  apartment  she  had  so  long 
occupied,  and  which  till  now,  had  been  often  cheered  by 
visions  of  hope  and  future  happiness.  In  a  few  minutes 
Rachel  was  sunk  in  profound  repose  ;  and  as  Miriam  stooped 
down  to  kiss  away  the  tears  which  still  trembled  on  her  eye- 
lids, she  almost  envied  the  innocent  thoughtlessness  of  her 
unreflecting  childhood.  In  vain  she  courted  the  sweet  influ- 
ence of  sleep.  Atherton  perpetually  haunted  her  imagination 
— he  seemed  to  reproach  her  as  the  author  of  his  misfortunes, 
and  dreadful  images  of  torture  and  death  floated  before  her 
eyes  with  the  appalling  vividness  of  reality.  It  was  not  until 
the  morning  sun  had  pierced  the  leafy  covert  of  the  sylvan 
dwelling,  that  a  disturbed  and  feverish  slumber  stole  over  her 
senses,  from  which  she  was  soon  awaked  by  the  soft  voice  of 
Mioma,  who  bent  over  her  with  a  countenance  brightened  by 
joy,  though  a  starting  tear  proclaimed  that  her  pleasure  was 
not  without  alloy. 

'Arise,  my  daughters,'  she  said,  'our  light  canoes  are 
launched  on  the  blue  stream,  and  Mononotto  waits  to  con- 
duct thee  to  thy  kindred.' 

Miriam  sprang  from  her  lowly  couch,  and  pressing  her 
hands  on  her  forehead,  endeavored  to  connect  the-  scattered 
and  confused  recollection  of  recent  events,  while  the  restless 
wandering  of  her  eyes,  and  the  unnatural  brilliancy  of  her 
complexion,  betrayed  heranxiety  and  mental  suffering.  Mi- 
oma took  the  hands  of  the  captive  maidens  kindly  within  her 
own,  and  resumed  in  an  unsteady  voice, — 

•  Go,  my  children,  return  to  the  abodes  of  the  white  man, 
but  forget  not  the  poor  Mioma,  who  loved  you,  and  cherished 
you  in  her  bosom.' 


418  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

'  Forget  you,  my  friend,  my  preserver  !'  exclaimed  Miriam, 
with  impassioned  energy,  and  twining  her  arms  around  Mi- 
oma's  neck — '  oh,  never  shall  I  cease  to  remember  you  with 
grateful  affection,  and  to  supplicate  Heaven  for  a  blessing  on 
you  and  yours.' 

The  voice  of  Mononotto  was  at  that  moment  heard  ap- 
proaching them  ;  and  Mioma  disengaging  herself  from  the 
embrace  of  Miriam,  with  the  grave  dignity  which  usually 
characterized  her,  retired  to  receive  his  commands.  Miriam 
followed  her  with  hasty  steps,  and  grasping  the  arm  of  Mono- 
notto, she  looked  earnestly  in  his  face,  and  entreated  Mioma 
to  express  to  him  her  gratitude  for  his  kindness,  and  to  learn 
the  situation  of  Atherton,  and  what  destiny  awaited  him.  The 
Sachem  briefly  answered  ;  and  Mioma  taking  the  words  from 
his  lips,  drew  the  agitated  girl  towards  her,  and  said, — 

'  He  is  safe,  my  daughter  ;  ask  me  no  more,  but  prepare  to 
go,  while  the  breeze  is  up,  and  ready  to  waft  thee  over  the 
sparkling  waves.' 

The  disturbed  expression  of  Mioma's  countenance  con- 
tradicted her  assertion,  and  redoubled  the  anxious  fears  of 
Miriam. 

'Safe  /'  she  repeated  with  a  wild  laugh,  '  safe  !  and  a  pris- 
oner in  the  midst  of  his  enemies  !  oh,  if  you  have  pity  on  me, 
restore  him  to  liberty,  and  suffer  me  to  die  in  his  stead — me, 
for  whose  sake  he  is  involved  in  danger  and  distress.  Yes,  I 
will  go  to  him,'  she  added  in  a  calmer  tone,  '  at  least  we  will 
die  together  !' 

She  was  rushing  from  the  wigwam,  when  Mononotto  ar- 
rested her  steps,  and  firmly  detained  her,  while  he  addressed 
Mioma  with  extreme  earnestness.  Mioma  again  interpreted 
his  language.' 

'  Young  maiden,'  she  said,  '  what  would'st  thou  do?  Listen 
to  the  words  of  Mononotto.  I  have  snatched  you  from  the 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  .          419 

flames,  I  have  sheltered  you  under  my  roof,  and  nourished 
you  with  my  own  food.  Thou  knowest  that  I  have  a  son, 
whom  I  adopted  in  the  hour  of  strife,  and  he  is  dear  to  me  as 
my  own  flesh ;  wilt  thou  leave  him  to  perish  by  the  hands  of 
his  enemies,  to  avenge  thy  blood  which  I  have  refrained  from 
shedding  ?' 

'  No,  never,  never  will  I  repay  your  benefits  with  such  in- 
gratitude,' said  Miriam ;  '  for  your  sake  I  will  endure  life, 
though  every  future  moment  should  be  embittered  by  sorrow.' 

She  instantly  prepared  to  obey  the  wishes  of  Mononotto, 
and  clinging  to  the  last  and  uncertain  hope,  that  the  Dutch 
might  still  be  enabled  to  offer  some  acceptable  ransom  for  the 
life  of  Atherton,  she  became  restlessly  impatient  for  the  mo- 
ment of  her  departure.  The  sachem  had  all  things  in  readi- 
ness ;  and  with  tears  and  embraces,  the  wife  of  Cushminaw 
parted  from  the  English  maidens,  whom  she  regarded  as  the 
deliverers  of  her  husband.  But  Mioma  remarked  with  pity 
the  languor  and  debility  of  Miriam — the  surprising  change 
which  a  few  hours  of  severe  mental  suffering  had  produced 
in  her  countenance ;  and  with  an  affectionate  solicitude  which 
could  not  be  denied,  she  insisted  on  accompanying  her  to  the 
Dutch  vessel.  In  a  few  moments  they  reached  the  bank  of 
the  river ;  a  bark  canoe  was  loosed  from  its  moorings,  and 
Mononotto  with  two  or  three  sturdy  Indians,  paddled  them 
swiftly  from  the  shore.  Sick  at  heart,  Miriam  turned  her 
eyes  to  the  spot  where  she  had  been  separated  from  Atherton, 
at  the  dreadful  moment  of  discovery  ;  and  casting  one  wistful 
look  towards  the  distant  fort,  she  leaned  her  head  on  Mioma's 
shoulder,  and  covered  her  face  to  exclude  every  object  from 
her  view — for  every  object  was  associated  with  the  most  pain- 
ful recollections. 

Van  Haarman  was  waiting  on  the  deck  of  his  sloop  to  re- 
ceive the  liberated  captives,  and  with  an  air  of  cordial  good 


420  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

will,  he  congratulated  them  on  their  restoration  tp  freedom. — 
Observing  they  were  embarrassed  by  the  gaze  of  curiosity,  he 
conducted  them  to  a  small  cabin  he  had  prepared  for  them, 
whither  they  were  -attended  by  Mioma  ;  and  Van  Haarman 
returned  to  the  deck,  and  according  to  his  stipulation, 
restored  Cushminaw  and  five  of  the  Pequods  to  the  sachem 
Mononotto. 

Major  Atherton  in  the  mean  time  was  rigorously  guarded 
by  the  savages,  who,  with  inhuman  barbarity  triumphed  over 
his  misery,  mocking  him  with  taunts  and  menaces,  and  imi- 
tating the  groans  which  they  had  sometimes  extorted  from 
their  English  prisoners.  They  had  closely  pinioned  his  arms, 
and  bound  him  to  a  stake  in  the  midst  of  the  fort,  in  a  posi- 
tion which  admitted  neither  of  rest  nor  change.  In  this  pain- 
ful situation  he  was  condemned  to  pass  the  night  surrounded 
by  his  vindictive  enemies,  whose  disfigured  countenances 
glared  upon  him  like  demons,  illumined  as  they  were  by  the 
fitful  fires  which  they  kept  burning,  to  prevent  the  possibility 
of  surprise  or  escape.  Atherton  did  not  for  an  instant  cherish 
any  chimerical  hopes  of  life.  From  the  moment  that  he  found 
himself  in  the  power  of  the  Indians,  he  considered  death  in- 
evitable, and  determined  to  meet  it  with  the  courage  of  a 
Christian  and  a  soldier.  Yet  in  the  midst  of  sufferings  which 
had  surprised  him  in  the  glow  of  hope  and  expected  happi- 
ness, and  in  the  prospect  of  tortures  from  which  nature  re- 
coiled, the  uncertainty  of  Miriam's  fate,  and  the  reflection  that 
her  death  might  be  accelerated  by  his  rashness,  gave  him  far 
keener  anguish  than  the  most  refined  cruelties  his  tormentors 
were  able  to  inflict. 

The  night,  which  seemed  almost  endless  to  him,  at  length 
passed  away,  and  late  in  the  morning  the  sachem  Mononotto 
entered  the  fort.  The  countenance  of  the  warrior  was  stern, 
and  he  regarded  the  prisoner  with  gloomy  satisfaction.  More 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  421 

accessible  to  pity  than  most  of  his  ferocious  tribe,  he  was 
moved  by  the  innocence  and  tears  of  his  young  captives  ;  and 
affection  for  his  adopted  son  induced  him  to  persist  in  procur- 
ing their  release.  But  neither  the  liberal  offers  of  Van  Haar- 
man,  nor  his  earnest  entreaties  joined  with  those  of  Cushmi- 
naw,  could  prevail  on  him  or  any  of  the  savage  warriors,  to 
accept  a  ransom  for  Major  Atherton.  His  apparent  rank  and 
youthful  vigor  rendered  him  a  victim  of  uncommon  value, 
and  the  moment  of  sacrifice  was  anticipated  with  inhuman 
triumph. 

As  Atherton  sustained  the  haughty  gaze  of  Mononotto  with 
dignified  composure,  Cushminaw  entered  with  a  train  of  Indi- 
ans, who  had  gathered  round  him  to  express  their  joy  at  his 
release.  He  was  not  permitted  to  address  the  prisoner,  but 
stood  at  a  little  distance,  looking  at  him  with  an  earnest  and 
sorrowful  expression.  Atherton's  features  brightened  with 
momentary  joy  at  his  appearance,  and  the  young  Indian,  com- 
prehending his  feelings,  a  moment  after  passed  near  him,  and 
said  in  a  low  voice,  '  they  are  safe,'  and  immediately  left  the 
fort.  Atherton  felt  relieved  of  an  insupportable  load  by  this 
assurance ;  for  he  was  at  no  loss  to  conjecture  to  whom  Cush- 
minaw alluded  ;  and  indeed  his  freedom  alone  was  a  sufficient 
proof  that  Miriam  and  her  companion  were  in  safety.  He 
had  soon  after  another  instance  of  his  grateful  interest ;  for  in 
consequence  of  his  intercession  with  Mononotto,  the  cords 
which  bound  him  were  loosened,  and  he  was  offered  some 
water  to  allay  his  feverish  thirst.  Thankful  for  these  favors, 
which  were  seldom  granted  to  their  prisoners,  and  exhausted 
by  weariness  and  pain,  he  scarcely  felt  the  relief  of  his  new 
position,  before  he  sunk  into  a  quiet  slumber,  too  profound  to 
be  disturbed  even  by  the  dreadful  preparations  which  were 
making  around  him. 

The  Indians  perceived  the   Dutch  vessel  still  lying  at  an- 
36 


422  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

chor  in  the  river,  and  with  malignant  satisfaction  they  deter- 
mined to  sacrifice  their  captive  within  the  view  of  his  white 
brethren.  About  sunset,  the  shouts  of  the  multitude  who  be- 
gan to  assemble,  proclaimed  that  the  appointed  hour  was  ar- 
rived. Several  fires  were  kindled  along  the  shore,  and  on  a 
slight  eminence  beyond  the  fort,  a  large  stake,  driven  into  the 
ground,  designated  the  place  of  execution.  Major  Atherton 
was  conducted  from  the  fortress  by  a  numerous  and  ferocious 
guard;  he  walked  with  a  firm  and  manly  step;  his  counte- 
nance was  serene,  and  the  spirit  of  Christian  hope  and  resig- 
nation evidently  supported  him  in  that  trying  hour.  Once 
only,  when  they  had  bound  him  to  the  fatal  stake,  he  cast  a 
lingering  look  towards  the  vessel,  which  contained  the  only 
being  perhaps  who  would  weep  for  his  untimely  fate  ;  and  for 
an  instant  his  lip  quivered,  and  a  deep"  flush  overspread  his 
pale  features.  It  slowly  passed  away — he  raised  his  eyes  to 
Heaven,  and  every  earthly  passion  seemed  forever  subdued. 

The  savages  then  entirely  covered  their  victim  with  bark, 
using  the  most  insulting  gestures  and  menaces,  which  their 
deadly  hatred  could  invent.  Previous  to  lighting  the  pile 
they  formed  an  immense  circle  around  him,  and  with  dis- 
cordant yells,  both  sexes  indiscriminately  joined  in  performing 
the  horrid  war-dance.  As  soon  as  this  infernal  rite  was  com- 
pleted, a  torch  was  applied  to  the  combustible  materials  which 
surrounded  the  unfortunate  Atherton,  and  instantly  the  smoke 
began  to  mount  and  wreathe  around  him.  Nothing  codld 
exceed  the  horror  of  the  spectacle.  Atherton  was  no  longer 
visible  through  the  clouds  of  smoke  which  enveloped  him  ; 
for  to- render  his  death  more  painful  and  lingering,  they  had 
selected  green  materials,  which  long  resisted  the  violence  of 
the  flames.  The  savages  still  encircled  him  ;  a  demoniac  joy, 
and  vindictive  fury  was  painted  on  their  features,  and  their 


PEEP    AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  423 

dreadful  shouts  of  exultation  were  mingled  with  the  appalling 
sounds  of  the  war-whoop. 

At  that  fearful  moment,  a  report  of  fire-arms  was  heard, 
and  a  shower  of  musket-balls  poured  upon  the  astonished 
group.  A  party  of  white  men,  sword  in  hand,  rushed  from 
an  adjoining  thicket,  and  with  determined  courage,  plunged 
through  the  circle  to  the  rescue  of  the  prisoner.  Cushminaw 
recognized  Van  Haarman  in  their  gallant  leader,  and  with  a 
joyful  cry,  he  sprang  forward,  and  severed  the  cords  which 
confined  Atherton  to  the  stake.  Atherton,  like  one  risen  from 
the  dead,  leaped  from  the  burning  pile  unharmed,  though 
blackened  with  smoke  ;  and  snatching  his  own  sword  from 
the  hand  of  a  bewildered  chief,  joined  in  the  defence  of  his 
brave  liberators. 

The  Pequods  thrown  into  consternation  by  this  sudden  at- 
tack, knew  not  how  to  conduct,  or  in  what  way  to  defend 
themselves.  They  had  partaken  freely  of  the  ardent  spirits 
which  Van  Haarman  had  purposely  sent  to  them,  on  the  re- 
turn of  Cushminaw,  and  their  inebriation  added  to  the  con- 
fusion of  the  scene.  Stupefied  by  terror  and  surprise,  they 
greatly  overrated  the  numbers  of  the  Dutch;  many  fled  pre- 
cipitately, and  all  seemed  incapable  of  offering  the  least  re- 
sistance. Van  Haarman  took  advantage  of  their  condition, 
and  immediately  ordered  a  retreat,  which  was  effected  in  good 
order,  and  without  the  loss  of  a  single  man.  They  heard  at 
a  distance,  the  shouts  of  the  Indians,  who  began  to  rally,  but 
dared  not  pursue  them  ;  and  a  flight  of  arrows  which  lh£y 
discharged,  fell  harmless  among  the  trees  of  the  forest. 

The  emotions  of  Major  Atherton  were  indescribable.  Re- 
called to  life  from-  the  borders  of  the  grave,  the  first  offerings 
of  his  heart  were  directed  to  that  good  Being  whose  arm  had 
encircled  him,  and  led  him  back  from  the  dark  valley  of  death. 
As  they  glided  over  the  peaceful  waters,  he  remained  ab- 


424  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

sorbed  in  mental  devotion  and  thanksgiving.  Not  a  voice 
disturbed  the  profound  silence  ;  the  dashing  of  the  oars,  and 
ripple  of  the  waves,  were  the  only  sounds  which  broke  upon 
the  stillness  of  the  night.  It  was  not  till  he  had  gained  the 
deck  of  the  sloop,  that  Atherton's  thoughts  were  completely 
recalled  to  earth.  With  a  swelling  heart,  he  regarded  the  lit- 
tle band  who  had  just  ventured  their  lives  upon  a  doubtful  and 
dangerous  enterprise  in  the  cause  of  humanity ;  and  he  deep- 
ly felt  that  language  was  inadequate  to  express  the  obligations 
they  had  imposed  on  him.  Silently,  but  with  a  countenance 
more  eloquent  than  words,  he  pressed  the  hand  of  each  as 
they  crowded  around  him;  and  even  with  tears  of  gratitude, 
embraced  the  generous  and  disinterested  Van  Haarman. 

'  You  have  need  of  repose,'  said  Van  Haarman,  leading  him 
aside  ;  '  but  first  there  is  one  who  must  be  convinced  with  her 
own  eyes,  that  you  are  in  safety.' 

As  he  spoke,  they  descended  a  few  steps,  and  knocked  soft- 
ly at  the  door  of  the  cabin  which  was  occupied  by  Miriam 
Grey  ;  and  with  a  throbbing  pulse,  Atherton  heard  the  quick 
motion  of  her  light  step  within.  Van  Haarman  disengaged 
his  arm  from  Atherton's,  and  hastily  withdrew,  unwilling  to 
intrude  upon  their  interview,  under  circumstances  so  peculiar 
and  affecting.  He  immediately  ordered  the  sails  to  be  set, 
and  weighing  anchor,  they  sailed  with  a  fair  wind  from  the 
unfriendly  shores  of  the  Pequods. 

Van  Haarman  had  waited  with  extreme  anxiety  for  the  re- 
turn of  Major  Atherton,  on  the  preceding  evening  ;  and  when 
he  saw  the  dastardly  Dutchman  approaching  alone  in  the 
boat,  his  fears  and  predictions  seemed  at  once  fatally  con- 
firmed. From  the  unwilling  confession  of  the  man,  he  de- 
tected his  cowardice,  and  in  the  excess  of  his  anger  and  dis- 
appointment, ordered  him  to  be  put  in  irons  for  the  punishment 
of  his  treachery.  From  that  moment,  his  thoughts  were  un- 


PEEP    AT    THE  PILGRIMS.  425 

remittingly  bent  on  devising  some   means   of  rescuing  his 
friend  from  the  dreadful  fate  which  awaited  him. 

Most  unexpectedly,  Mononotto  on  the  following  morning, 
restored  the  captive  maidens,  and  demanded  Cushminaw  and 
five  of  the  Pequod  warriors  for  their  ransom,  agreeable  to  the 
offers  of  the  Dutch.  But  the  endeavors  of  Van  Haarman  to 
include  Atherton  in  the  stipulation,  were  ineffectual,  and  the 
Sachem  haughtily  rejected  the  most  liberal  offers  for  his  free- 
dom. The  grief  and  despair  of  Miriam  Grey  at  times  de- 
prived her  entirely  of  reason  ;  again  she  would  remain  long 
in  a  state  of  death-like  insensibility  ;  and  in  her  calmer  inter- 
vals, she  supplicated  Van  Haarman  with  tears,  which  could 
not  be  resisted,  to  save  her  lover,  or  suffer  her  to  go  and  per- 
ish with  him.  Affected  by  her  distress,  and  led  on  by  a  dar- 
ing spirit,  as  well  as  a  real  interest  for  his  friend,  he  resolved 
at  all  events,  to  hazard  a  bold  and  decisive  attempt  to  rescue 
him.  With  little  difficulty  he  inspired  a  few  of  his  bravest 
men  with  a  portion  of  his  enthusiasm,  and  engaged  them  to 
assist  him  in  the  perilous  adventure. 

With  a  vigilant  eye,  Van  Haarman  watched  the  transactions 
of  the  Indians  on  shore  during  the  day,  and  the  moment  their 
fires  were  lighted,  he  prepared  to  prosecute  his  design.  His 
vessel  was  put  in  readiness  to  sail  at  an  instant's  warning ; 
and  when  he  saw  the  Indians  forming  a  circle  around  Ather- 
ton, he  removed  down  the  river  beyond  the  light  of  their 
flames.  He  reached  the  shore  in  a  boat  with  his  men ;  and 
landing  in  the  shelter  of  a  grove,  they  proceeded  cautiously 
along,  directed  by  the  blaze,  which  glanced  brightly  through 
the  branches  of  the  trees.  Van  Haarman  had  placed  much 
reliance  on  the  intoxicating  liquor  which  he  presented  to  Mo- 
nonotto in  the  morning,  and  rightly  judged  it  would  be  re- 
served for  the  evening  feast.  At  the  auspicious  moment  when 
36* 


426  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIM?. 

their  senses  were  deranged  by  liberal  potations,  and  they  be- 
lieved themselves  secure  in  their  savage  mirth,  he  rushed 
upon  them  with  his  intrepid  band,  in  the  manner  already  re- 
lated. 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

Farewell,  'tis  exquisite  to  part, 
For  oh,  thou  weep'st  at  parting. — 

MlLMAN. 

EARLY  on  the  next  morning,  the  Dutch  vessel  anchored  be- 
neath the  walls  of  fort  Saybrook,  and  Major  Atherton  was 
awakened  by  the  drums  of  the  garrison,  beating  the  reveille. 
His  drowsiness  was  at  once  dispelled,  and  he  hastened  on  deck 
with  an  elastic  step,  and  free  and  buoyant  spirits.  The  fam- 
iliar and  exhilarating  sounds  of  martial  music,  the  glitter  of 
polished  arms,  and  the  ancient  banner  of  his  country  unfurled 
from  the  ramparts,  burst  gaily  on  his  ear  and  eye.  As  he  in- 
haled the  fragrance  of  the  dewy  air,  and  looked  round  upon 
the  wider  landscape, — the  distant  hills,  silvered  by  the  trans- 
parent vapors,  which  curled  around  their  brows, — the  beauti- 
ful sweep  of  woodlands,  and  the  luxuriant  meadows, — all 
glowing  in  the  brilliancy  of  the  morning  sun  ; — his  mind  was 
filled  with  almost  rapturous  delight,  and  contrasting  his  pre- 
sent feelings,  with  those  of  the  preceding  day,  his  heart  swell- 
ed with  gratitude,  and  he  thought  the  face  of  nature  had  never 
worn  so  lovely  an  aspect,  nor  the  pulse  of  existence,  bounded 
with  such  pure  and  joyous  emotions. 

But  his  happy  reverie  was  soon  interrupted  by  the  bustle 
which  prevailed  on  board  the  sloop,  and  hurrying  below,  with 
impatient  steps  he  passed  and  repassed  the  door  of  Miriam's 
cabin,  half  inclined  to  chide  her,  that  her  ear  was  so  inatten- 
tive to  the  footsteps  of  love.  Hearing  no  sound  within,  he  at 
length  gently  rapped,  and  the  door  was  half  opened  by  the 
smiling  Rachel,  who  begged  him  to  make  no  noise,  as  Miriam 


428  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

was  not  yet  awake.  He  was  much  disposed  to  disregard  her ; 
but  Van  Haarman  at  the  moment,  came  to  infown  him  he  was 
waiting  to  go  on  shore,  and  Atherton  felt  obliged  to  accom- 
pany him,  though  he  more  than  once  turned  to  look  back,  as 
he  fancied  he  heard  the  sweet  tones  of  Miriam's  voice. 

They  were  received  with  the  utmost  politeness  by  Lieuten- 
ant Gardiner,  the  commanding  officer  ;  and  Captain  Under- 
hill,  who  had  arrived  at  Saybrook  two  or  three  weeks  before, 
with  twenty  men  to  relieve  the  garrison.  Captain  Underhill 
immediately  recognized  Major  Atherton,  whom  he  had  known 
at  Boston,  and  expected  to  have  found  at  Saybrook.  His  un- 
accountable disappearance,  at  the  moment  he  had  voluntarily 
embarked  in  so  important  an  undertaking,  had  occasioned 
much  conjecture,  and  no  small  anxiety,  to  those  who  were 
personally  interested  in  him.  The  mystery  was  soon  ex- 
plained to  the  entire  satisfaction  of  all  concerned;  and  having 
delivered  his  credentials  to  Lieutenant  Gardiner,  his  proffered 
services  were  gladly  accepted  by  him,  on  the  behalf  of  the 
Connecticut  colonies. 

The  officers,  with  that  respectful  gallantry  which  always 
accompanies  true  bravery,  were  solicitous  to  prepare  suitable 
accommodations  for  Miriam  and  her  young  companion,  and 
to  render  their  temporary  residence  at  the  fort  agreeable. 
Atherton's  anxiety  for  their  safety  induced  him  to  urge  a 
speedy  removal  to  their  friends  ;  as  the  critical  state  of  the 
country,  the  danger  of  an  attack  from  the  Indians,  and  the  em- 
barrassing situation  of  two  young  and  unprotected  females  in 
the  midst  of  a  garrison,  must  render  their  abode  there,  peril- 
ous and  unpleasant.  He  knew  not  how  soon  he  should  be 
called  away,  and  the  idea  of  leaving  Miriam  in  that  place, 
and  under  such  circumstances,  was  not  to  be  endured.  A 
pinnace  from  the  river  towns  had  put  in  at  Saybrook  on  the 
preceding  day,  and  was  only  waiting  for  a  favorable  wind  to 


PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS.  429 

proceed  to  the  Massachusetts.  It  offered  few  conveniences 
which  the  occasion  required,  but  Atherton  thought  it  would 
be  better  for  them  to  proceed  directly  in  it,  than  run  the  chance 
of  another  opportunity,  which  was  not  likely  soon  to  occur, 
and  might  not  be  more  advantageous.  It  was  impossible  for 
the  garrison,  at  that  critical  time  to  fit  out  a  vessel  for  their 
accommodation ;  and  though  Van  Haarman  would  gladly 
have  carried  them  through  the  voyage,  he  did  not  feel  author- 
ized to  exceed  his  instructions,  which  were  to  deliver  them 
to  the  English  at  Saybrook.  He  however  promised  to  escort 
them  through  the  waters  of  the  Sound,  when  they  would  be 
beyond  the  territories  of  the  Pequod  Indians,  and  the  danger 
of  any  hostile  attack.  The  master  of  the  pinnace  was  we 
known  to  several  persons  in  the  fort,  and  sustained  an  excel- 
lent character.  Atherton  therefore  felt  no  hesitation  in  plac- 
ing the  objects  of  his  solicitude,  under  such  protection ;  and 
he  received  a  ready  promise  to  bestow  on  them  every  possible 
attention,  and  to  leave  them,  with  the  friends  of  Miriam,  at 
Plymouth.  Atherton  learned  from  him,  that  Mrs.  Weldon 
had  entirely  recovered  from  her  illness,  though  still  in  deep 
affliction  for  the  supposed  loss  of  Miriam,  which  was  gener- 
ally considered  inevitable.  She  then  enjoyed  the  solace  of 
her  husband's  society,  who  had  returned  to  Hartford  with 
Captain  Mason,  immediately  on  the  arrival  of  Captain  Under- 
bill at  Saybrook. 

Major  Atherton  hastened  to  impart  this  intelligence  to  Mi- 
riam, and  to  consult  her  on  his  proposed  arrangements. — 
While  yet  conversing,  they  were  joined  by  Van  Haarman  ; 
and  Mr.  Winthrop,  the  founder  of  the  fort  and  settlement  of 
Saybrook,  and  afterwards,  for  many  years,  a  useful  and  dis- 
tinguished governor  of  the  Connecticut  colonies.  He  was  a 
young  man  of  superior  abilities,  which  were  greatly  improved 
by  traveling,  and  an  extensive  acquaintance  with  letters  and 


430  PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

mankind.  With  the  benevolence  and  urbanity,  which  cha- 
racterized his  father,  he  also  imbibed  a  firm  predilection  for 
puritanical  doctrines  ;  and  though  esteemed  one  of  the  most 
accomplished  gentlemen,  and  elegant  scholars  of  the  age,  he 
was  content  to  sacrifice  the  honors  and  preferments,  which 
courted  him  in  his  native  land,  to  plant  what  he  considered 
the  true  faith,  in  the  rigid  soil  of  New  England. 

The  object  of  his  visit,  was  to  request  Miriam  and  Rachel, 
to  remove  to  his  house,  which  was  pleasantly  situated  within 
the  impalement ;  and  where  he  promised  them  perfect  retire- 
ment, and  the  attentive  care  of  a  respectable  female,  who  su- 
perintended his  household.  Miriam  cheerfully  acceded  to  his 
request,  for  her  spirits  were  languid,  and  her  strength  debili- 
tated by  suffering  and  fatigue,  and  she  gladly  exchanged  the 
confinement  and  confusion  of  the  sloop,  for  an  agreeable  and 
quiet  situation. 

Mr.  Winthrop  invited  Atherton,  Van  Haarman  and  the  of- 
ficers of  the  garrison,  to  dine  with  him  on  that  day  ;  but  Mi- 
riam declined  appearing  at  table,  from  a  natural  aversion  to 
encounter  the  gaze  of  strangers,  under  circumstances  which 
excited  so  much  curiosity.  Atherton's  feelings  were  much 
gratified  by  her  reserve  ;  but  it  disappointed  the  guests,  in 
general ;  for  they  had  heard  high  encomiums  on  her  beau- 
ty, and  felt  their  interest  strongly  awakened  by  her  adven- 
tures. As  soon  as  the  company  began  to  disperse,  Atherton 
requested  permission  to  speak  with  Miriam  ;  and  Mr.  Win- 
throp, with  a  significant  smile,  directed  him  to  a  room  where 
he  had  parted  from  her  in  the  morning.  He  found  her  sitting 
alone  by  a  window,  which  opened  into  the  garden,  where 
Rachel  was  amusing  herself  with  the  gambols  of  a  playful 
dog.  As  he  entered  hastily,  he  observed  that  she  had  been 
weeping ;  but  her  countenance'  instantly  brightened  with 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  431 

pleasure,  as  she  rose  with  a  smile  and  a  blush  to  receive 
him. 

'  These  are  tears  of  joy,  I  trust,  dear  Miriam,'  said  Ather- 
ton,  looking  earnestly  in  her  face  ;  '  surely  you  have  now  no 
source  of  unhappiness  to  call  them  forth.' 

4  No,  none,'  replied  Miriam,  '  I  should  be  ungrateful  to  re- 
pine at  any  thing,  almost  in  a  moment,  when  Providence  has 
interposed  to  snatch  me  from  a  dreadful  fate.  But—'  she 
added  hesitatingly  ;  and  stopping  abruptly,  cast  her  eyes  on 
the  ground. 

"  But  what  ?  '  asked  Atherton,  anxiously,  '  tell  me,  Miriam, 
if  there  is  any  thing  I  can  do  to  render  you  more  happy,  and 
you  cannot  doubt  my  zeal  in  your  service.' 

'  There  is  nothing  that  I  can  wish  for,'  answered  Miriam ; 
1  you  have  already  done  for  me  more  than  words  can  express  ; 
you  have  laid  me  under  obligations  which  a  life  of  devoted 
gratitude  could  never  repay.' 

'  Nay,  dear  Miriam,'  said  Atherton,  '  one  sunny  smile,  one 
glance  of  affection,  has  canceled  all,  and  more  than  all,  that 
I  could  do  or  suffer  for  your  sake.  But  I  would  learn  the 
meaning  of  that  hesitation,  that  untold  something,  which  just 
now  trembled  on  your  lips  ; — surely  you,  who  are  always  so 
ingenuous,  need  not  now  use  such  reserve  to  me.' 

'  I  have  perhaps,  used  too  little  towards  you,'  returned  Mi- 
riam ;  '  and  indeed,  I  fear  you  will  think  me  weak  and  fool- 
ish, if  I  acknowledge  that  the  thoughts  of  my  intended  voy- 
age have  power  to  depress  my  spirits  for  a  moment.' 

1  On  the  contrary,'  said  Atherton,  '  I  cannot  sufficiently  ad- 
mire your  cheerful  acquiescence  in  the  plan  we  have  adopted 
for  you  ;  and  which,  though  it  seems  the  only  one  that  can 
insure  your  safety,  under  present  circumstances,  exposes  you 
to  so  many  inconveniences,  that  I  cannot  reflect  on  it  without 
the  utmost  solicitude,  nor  too  deeply  regret  that  it  is  impossi- 


432  PEEP   AT     THE    PILGRIMS. 

ble  for  me  to  go  with  you,  and  protect  you  in  this  emergen- 
cy.' 

'  I  have  no  fears  for  myself,'  replied  Miriam ;  '  I  am  a  rug- 
ged daughter  of  New-England,  unused  to  the  gentle  nurture 
of  your  English  maidens,  and  from  childhood  accustomed  to 
fatigue,  and  taught  to  meet  the  unavoidable  evils  of  life  with- 
out repining.  But  why  should  I  blush  to  acknowledge  it, 
Atherton  ?  I  tremble  with  apprehension  at  the  thoughts  of 
parting  from  you,  of  leaving  you,  in  this  place  of  danger.' 

'Dearest  Miriam,'  said  Atherton,  with  a  glow  of  grateful 
pleasure,  '  how  can  I  thank  you  for  this  kind  expression  of 
interest!  a  sweet  assurance  of  your  affection,  more  precious 
to  me,  than  the  wealth  of  kingdoms,  and  which  I  shall  cherish 
as  the  delightful  harbinger  of  a  happy  and  more  lasting  re- 
union, when  the  gloomy,  but  I  trust,  brief  days  of  our  separa- 
tion have  passed  away.' 

4  It  is  not  leaving  you,  at  which  I  repine,'  said  Miriam,  with 
a  faint  smile  ;  '  at  another  time,  I  would,  I  ought  to  do  it  vol- 
untarily without  regret;  but  now  I  quit  you  on  the  eve  of  a 
fearful  combat,  with  a  powerful  and  barbarous  enemy,  whose 
very  name  is  dreadful,  and  whose  "  tender  mercies,"  you  have 
already  bitterly  experienced,  are  "cruelty."' 

'  Your  fears  for  me,  dear  Miriam,  are  too  grateful  to  my 
feelings,  not  to  give  me  pleasure  ;  but  I  trust  they  are  wholly 
groundless  ;  I  feel  a  secret  confidence,  that  He,  who  has  once 
so  mercifully  delivered  me  from  their  hands  will  still  be  my 
shield  and  defence,  and  that  He  will  give  his  people  a  signal 
victory  over  their  heathenish  foes.' 

'  May  your  words  prove  prophetic !  '  returned  Miriam. 
'  Atherton,  forgive  my  womanish  fears,'  she  added  ;  '  but  I 
know  your  courage,  and  I  am  assured  it  will  lead  you  where- 
ever  dangers  most  thickly  abound;  remember,  I  entreat  you, 
that  your  life  is  too  valuable  to  be  thrown  away.' 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  433 

'  If  it  is  of  value  to  you,  Miriam,  I  shall  be  inclined  to 
prize  it  but  too  highly ;  though  I  would  not  give  you  reason 
to  blush  for  my  cowardice.' 

'  I  must  first,'  said  Miriam,  «  forget  your  past  services  ;  I 
must  first  cease  to  remember,  Atherton,  the  intrepid  courage 
with  which  you  have  twice  hazarded  your  life  to  preserve 
mine  ;  and  when  I  forget  these  things,  then  will  "  my  right 
hand  forget  its  cunning."  ' 

'  Dearest  Miriam,  name  it  not  again,  I  beseech  you  ;  if  you 
knew  how  much  selfishness  was  mingled  in  my  wishes  to 
serve  you, — how  wretched  my  life  would  be  without  you, — 
how  closely  my  happiness  is  interwoven  with  your  own, — 
you  would  not  think  that  I  had  made  any  uncommon  efforts, 
that  my  trifling  exertions  were  worthy  to  excite  this  excess  of 
feeling ; — so  speak  no  more  of  it,  or  I  shall  fear  that  your  in- 
terest for  me  is  excited  only  by  the  cold  impulse  of  gratitude, 
which  would  have  expanded  as  generously  towards  any  other 
object,  even  the  most  indifferent,  to  whom  you  felt  indebted.' 

1  Think  so,  Atherton,  if  you  will,  if  you  can  ;  and  it  were 
better,  perhaps,  and  far  happier  for  us,  if  no  other  sentiments 
than  those  of  kindness  and  gratitude  had  been  suffered  to  take 
root  and  flourish  in  our  hearts.' 

'  No,  it  cannot  be  so,  my  own  Miriam,'  said  Atherton,  with 
energy ;  '  I  feel  assured  that  brighter  days  are  in  store  for  us, 
and  that  it  will  not  always  be  a  crime  to  indulge  the  pure 
and  hallowed  affections  of  the  heart.  In  this  hope,  our  part- 
ing must  not  be  sad;  this  is  no  place  for  one  so  innocent  and 
lovely,  and  I  wait  even  impatiently  for  the  moment  of  your 
departure ;  and  may  He,  who  rules  the  winds  and  waves, 
lead  you  in  safety  to  the  shelter  of  your  father's  roof,  and  the 
protection  of  his  arms.' 

'  Atherton,  you  are  too  sanguine,'  said  Miriam  ;  '  but  be  it 
so  ;  we  will  not  increase  the  pain  of  the  present  moment,  by 
37 


434  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

picturing  gloomy  images  of  the  future,  but  submit  patiently  to 
that  Providence,  which  directs  every  event  in  wisdom.' 

'  You  are  right,  my  Miriam  ;  and  when  the  din  of  battle 
has  ceased,  I  will  return  to  you,  and  sue  for  the  treasure  of 
your  affections  with  an  eloquence  which  love  shall  dictate, 
and  the  heart  of  a  father  cannot  resist.' 

'  We  may  at  least  look  forward  with  hope,'  said  Miriam, 
blushing ;  '  but  it  is  a  question  which  time  alone  can  decide. 
I  have  now  a  request  to  make,  which  I  am  sure  you  will  not 
deny  me.' 

'  I  can  refuse  nothing  that  you  ask,'  said  Atherton  ;  '  you 
have  only  to  speak,  and  if  it  is  in  my  power  you  shall  be 
obeyed.' 

'  If,'  resumed  Miriam,  '  the  fortune  of  war  should  place  the 
family  of  Mononotto  at  your  disposal,  will  you  for  my  sake 
treat  them  with  that  kindness  which  they  showed  to  me  dur- 
ing my  captivity ;  and  which  I  shall  probably  never  have  an 
opportunity  of  returning  in  the  least  degree  ? ' 

'  Be  assured,'  returned  Atherton,  'that  every  possible  at- 
tention shall  be  bestowed  on  them  which  even  your  grateful 
solicitude  could  desire.  And  now,  my  dear  Miriam,  I  have  a 
simple  boon  to  ask  from  you  ; — it  is  one  of  these  silken  tress- 
es which  I  would  wear  as  a  precious  charm  when  I  can  no 
longer  be  with  you,  except  in  the  delusive  dreams  of  fancy.' 

Miriam  with  a  smile  yielded  to  his  wishes,  and  in  compli- 
ance with  his  request  had  just  bound  the  glossy  ringlet  around 
his  arm,  when  their  conversation  was  interrupted  by  the  en- 
trance of  Mr.  Winthrop  and  Van  Haarman. 

On  the  following  morning  the  Dutch  sloop  took  advantage 
of  a  favorable  wind,  and  convoyed  the  Connecticut  pinnace 
beyond  the  waters  of  the  Sound.  They  had  scarcely  sailed 
out  of  sight  before  a  fleet  of  three  light  vessels,  containing 
ninety  men,  destined  to  act  against  the  Pequods,  approached 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  435 

the  fort.  Their  appearance,  which  had  been  long  expected, 
occasioned  the  utmost  joy  ;  they  landed  under  a  discharge  of 
artillery,  and  were  received  with  military  honors  by  the  gar- 
rison. This  small  army  left  Hartford  in  company  with  seven- 
ty Mohegan  and  river  Indians  who  had  united  with  their 
force,  and  were  commanded  by  Uncas,  grand  Sachem  of  the 
Mohegans.  But  as  the  navigation  of  the  river  was  much  im- 
peded by  the  unusual  lowness  of  the  water,  the  Indians  be- 
came impatient  of  the  restraint  and  delays,  and  begged  per- 
mission to  land  and  proceed  on  foot.  This  was  granted  them 
on  condition  of  effecting  a  junction  with  the  English  at  Say- 
brook  ;  but  strong  doubts  were  entertained  of  their  fidelity, 
which  was  seldom  proof  against  interest,  revenge,  or  any 
other  passion  of  their  savage  hearts.  On  this  occasion,  how- 
ever, they  were  true  to  their  word ;  and  the  next  day  arrived 
at  the  fort,  bringing  intelligence  that  they  had  fallen  in  with 
a  party  of  the  enemy,  completely  routed  them,  and  killed  and 
wounded  several  of  their  number. 

Captain  Mason  was  appointed  by  the  Colonies  commander 
in  chief  of  the  Connecticut  forces  and  their  Indian  allies.  He 
was  an  experienced  soldier,  and  highly  prized  for  his  un- 
daunted courage  and  profound  knowledge  of  military  tactics  ; 
with  which  he  united  the  virtues  of  a  sincere  Christian,  and 
the  deportment  of  a  gentleman.  He  was  at  that  time  about 
thirty-five  years  old,  tall  and  athletic,  with  commanding  fea- 
tures, a  frank  and  intelligent  countenance,  and  a  martial  air 
and  demeanor.  In  early  life  he  had  served  in  the  Netherland 
wars  under  Sir  Thomas  Fairfax ;  and  that  celebrated  general 
so  highly  valued  his  talents  and  conduct,  that  in  after  years 
when  the  unhappy  struggle  arose  between  Charles  the  first 
and  his  parliament,  he  earnestly  entreated  Captain  Mason  to 
return  and  assist  in  the  defence  of  his  national  rights.  But 
the  Captain  was  preferred  to  the  highest  offices  of  the  Colony, 


436  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

and  so  firmly  attached  to  his  adopted  country  and  the  religion 
of  the  Puritans  that  he  could  not  be  prevailed  on  to  abandon 
them. 

The  army  lay  wind-bound  at  Saybrook  for  two  days  ;  and 
the  time  was  almost  entirely  spent  in  consultations  respecting 
the  manner  of  proceeding,  in  which  Captain  Mason  and  his 
officers  entirely  disagreed.  The  Court  had  instructed  them 
to  proceed  directly  to  the  Pequod  harbor;  but  for  many  rea- 
sons the  Captain  judged  it  expedient  to  sail  first  to  the  Nar- 
raganset  country,  and  go  from  thence  by  land.  He  hoped  by 
that  means  to  surprise  the  enemy,  who  were  expecting  and 
lying  in  wait  for  them  along  the  river.  As  they  could  not 
agree  in  opinion  it  was  finally  left  to  the  decision  of  Mr. 
Stone,  who  accompanied  the  troops  as  chaplain.  He  was  de- 
sired to  set  apart  a  time  for  devotions  suited  to  the  occasion, 
to  seek  direction  from  the  God-  of  battles,  and  entreat  his  pro- 
tection and  aid  in  their  perilous  and  important  undertaking. 
Like  the  patriarch  of  old  he  '  wrestled  until  the  break  of  day ' 
in  prayer,  and  obtained  a  blessing.  In  the  morning  he  in- 
formed Captain  Mason  that  he  was  entirely  satisfied  with  his 
plan,  and  believed  it  perfectly  consonant  to  the  will  of  Heaven. 
So  great  a  deference  was  at  that  time  paid  to  the  sacred  office 
and  character  of  the  New-England  clergy,  that  it  was  imme- 
diately determined  in  a  council  of  officers  to  adopt  the  pro- 
posed measures,  and  sail  without  delay  to  the  country  of  the 
Narraganssts. 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  437 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

Indulge,  my  native  land !  indulge  the  tear, 
That  steals,  impassion'd  o'er  a  nation's  doom ; 
To  me  each  twig,  from  Adam's  stock  is  near, 
And  sorrows  fall  upon  an  Indian's  tomb. 

DWIGHT. 

IN  the  twilight  of  a  beautiful  day  about  the  middle  of  May, 
the  little  army  of  Connecticut,  with  their  Indian  allies,  an- 
chored in  the  noble  Bay  of  Narraganset.  The  fruitful  and 
finely  variegated  tract  of  country  which  has  since  received 
th*name  of  Rhode-Island,  and  whose  shores  are  washed  by 
the  waters  of  the  Bay,  was  at  that  time  inhabited  by  a  hardy 
race  of  savages,  scattered  throughout  the  interior,  and  leading 
an  erratic  life  of  freedom  and  independence.  This  populous 
tribe  could  then  send  forth  upwards  of  four  thousand  warriors 
to  the  field  of  battle,  and  was  the  only  nation  east  of  the  Hud- 
son, who  had  rendered  themselves  formidable  to  the  ferocious 
Pequods.  They  were  continually  at  war  with  them,  and  had 
hitherto  successfully  resisted  their  encroachments.  Their 
fertile  lands  and  salubrious  climate  had  not  allured  the  Eng- 
lish planter  to  wrest  from  them  the  inheritance  of  nature  ;  nor 
had  the  footsteps  of  art  yet  tracked  the  soil,  and  mingled  her 
magic  charms  with  the  magnificence  of  its  native  scenery, 
except  where  the  Providence  plantation  displayed  her  youlh- 
ful  settlement,  crowning  the  head  of  the  Bay,  and  like  a  syl- 
van deity  decked  with  the  offerings  of  rural  industry. 

There  the  celebrated  Roger  Williams  had  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  a  flourishing  colony,  and  amidst  the  dominions  of  the 
savage,  found  that  re/uge  from   persecution,  which  he  had. 
37* 


438  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

vainly  sought  in  the  abodes  of  civilized  man.  The  wild  and 
untutored  children  of  the  forest  regarded  him  as  a  father  and 
a  friend ;  and  though  defenceless  and  exposed,  he  held  them 
in  subjection  and  awe,  by  the  mild  ties  of  gratitude  and  affec- 
tion. His  influence  was  uniformly  exerted  to  repress  their 
hostility  against  the  neighboring  English  ;  and  with  the  gen- 
uine spirit  of  benevolence  and  forgiveness,  he  was  unremitting 
in  his  efforts  to  do  good  to  those  who  inveighed  against  the 
errors  of  his  creed  and  ejected  him  from  Christian  fellowship. 
Major  Atherton  had  heard  much  of  that  extraordinary  man, 
and  hoped  his  curiosity  would  be  gratified  by  a  personal  in- 
terview, as  they  approached  so  near  the  place  of  his  exile. 
But  he  was  disappointed  on  finding  the  residence  of  Canoni- 
cus,  grand  sachem  of  the  Narragansets,  was  much  nearer  the 
entrance  of  the  Bay,  which  rendered  their  further  progress  in- 
expedient. 

The  next  day  being  the  Sabbath,  their  business  was  sus- 
pended, and  divine  service  was  performed  by  the  chaplain  on 
board  the  captain's  ship,  where  all  the  English  assembled, 
with  the  utmost  reverence  and  devotion.  On  Monday,  Cap- 
tains Mason  and  Underbill,  with  a  sufficient  guard,  repaired 
to  the  dwelling  of  Canonicus,  to  acquaint  him  with  their  mo- 
tives for  visiting  his  country  with  so  large  a  force,  and  request 
permission  to  pass  through  it  in  peace,  to  attack  the  Pequod 
forts.  The  young  sachem  Miantonimo,  to  whom  the  old  king 
had  resigned  the  reigns  of  government,  assembled  his  chief 
counselors  and  warriors  to  hold  a  talk  with  the  English  ; 
and  after  gravely  listening  to  the  arguments  of  Captain  Ma- 
son, he  answered  that  he  highly  approved  his  designs,  and 
would  send  some  of  his  own  subjects  to  assist  him.  He  how- 
ever expressed  a  doubt  that  the  white  men  were  too  feeble  to 
oppose  the  Pequods,  who  were  exceedingly  valiant,  and  also 
powerful  in  numbers. 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  439 

Encouraged  by  this  reception,  Captain  Mason  ordered  his 
men  to  land,  except  a  few,  who  were  left  in  charge  with  the 
vessels,  and  proceed  to  the  place  of  rendezvous.  In  the  even- 
ing, an  Indian  came  from  the  Providence  plantation,  bringing 
a  letter  from  Captain  Patrick,  who  had  arrived  there  with 
forty  men  from  the  Massachusetts.  He  requested  Captain 
Mason  to  wait  until  he  could  join  him  with  his  troops ;  but 
although  a  union  of  forces  was  desirable,  the  officers  in  gen- 
eral were  averse  to  the  delay.  The  soldiers  were  already 
impatient  to  proceed,  and  it  was  of  the  utmost  importance  to 
surprise  the  enemy,  which  could  not  be  effected  without  using 
great  dispatch.  It  was  customary  among  the  Indians  to  en- 
tertain the  squaws  of  either  hostile  nation  in  their  camps,  and 
many  of  the  Pequod  women  were  mingled  with  the  Narra- 
gansets,  who,  it  was  feared,  would  convey  intelligence  of  their 
approach. 

On  the  following  morning  therefore,  the  army  consisting  of 
about  eighty  Englishmen,  sixty  Mohegan  and  river  Indians, 
and  two  hundred  Narragansets,  took  up  their  line  of  march. 
Before  evening  they  reached  the  Nihantick,  a  frontier  to  the 
Pequods,  which  was  then  governed  by  a  Narraganset  sachem. 
But  the  Nihanticks  treated  the  English  with  haughty  inso- 
lence, and  would  not  receive  them  into  their  fort ;  and  Cap- 
tain Mason,  aware  of  their  treachery,  placed  a  strong  guard 
around  the  impalement  to  prevent  any  one  from  passing  out 
to  betray  them.  There  they  encamped  that  night,  and  in  the 
morning  were  joined  by  another  party  of  Narragansets,  which 
induced  many  of  the  Nihanticks  to  offer  their  services ;  so 
that  the  army  re-commenced  its  march  with  a  force  of  nearly 
five  hundred  Indians. 

The  English  endured  excessive  fatigue  and  suffering 
throughout  the  day;  the  weather  was  oppressively  warm; 
they  were  almost  destitute  of  suitable  provisions,  and  obliged 


440  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

to  travel  through  a  pathless  wilderness,  encumbered  with 
heavy  arms  and  ammunition.  In  the  afternoon  the  country 
became  more  open,  and  they  crossed  a  large  field  which  had 
been  planted  with  Indian  corn,  and  was  watered  by  a  pure 
stream.  Here  the  captain  ordered  his  men  to  halt  and  re- 
fresh themselves,  while  he  called  a  council  of  his  officers,  and 
consulted  the  Indians  respecting  the  distance  of  the  forts. 
Wequash,  formerly  a  petty  sachem,  who  had  revolted  from 
t  he  Pequods,  and  who  afterwards  became  a  con  vert  to  Christ- 
ianity, and  a  zealous  apostle  among  his  brethren,  proved  an 
intelligent  and  faithful  guide.  He  assured  Captain  Mason  it 
would  be  impossible  to  reach  the  royal  fortress  of  Sassacus 
before  midnight.  It  was  twelve  miles  beyond  the  fort  of  Mis- 
tick,  which  was  also  held  by  the  Pequods,  and  both  were  con- 
sidered impregnable. 

The  Narragansets,  learning  that  the  English  intended  to 
attack  the  Pequods,  and  even  the  dreadful  Sassacus,  in  their 
forts,  were  filled  with  astonishment  and  alarm,  and  nearly  an 
hundred  immediately  returned  to  their  own  country. 

Captain  Mason  had  determined  to  divide  his  force  and  make 
a  simultaneous  attack  on  the  two  forts;  but  on  finding  that 
they  were  so  remote  from  each  other,  the  extreme  fatigue  of 
his  men  induced  him  to  alter  his  plan,  and  proceed  first  with 
his  whole  army  to  Mistick,  which  lay  not  far  in  advance. 

With  invincible  courage  and  in  perfect  silence,  the  brave 
little  army  renewed  its  march,  the  Indians  falling  in  the  rear, 
through  an  excess  of  fear,  utterly  incompatible  with  their  na- 
tive boldness  and  hardihood.  About  dark  they  reached  a 
pleasant  valley  which  offered  a  verdant  couch  to  their  weary 
limbs.  Here  they  pitched  their  camp,  between  two  large 
rocks,  in  the  now  flourishing  village  of  Groton ;  which  has 
since  been  celebrated  in  the  page  of  history  by  the  infamous 
attack  of  the  traitor  Arnold,  who  with  the  cold-blooded  malice 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  441 

of  a  demon  and  a  renegade,  slew  the  defenceless  garrison  of 
fort  Griswold  after  they  had  surrendered  to  the  British  arms, 
and  spread  misery  and  desolation  around  the  very  scenes 
which  had  nurtured  his  infancy  and  witnessed  his  childish 
sports,  if  indeed  a  heart  so  utterly  polluted  could  ever  have 
glowed  with  the  pure  and  innocent  enjoyments  of  that  guile- 
less age. 

Wequash  was  sent  forward  to  reconnoitre,  and  soon  return- 
ed with  the  welcome  intelligence  that  the  Pequods  still  main- 
tained the  most  perfect  security.  They  had  seen  the  English 
pass  in  their  vessels  towards  the  Narraganset,  and  believing 
they  feared  to  attack  them,  were  holding  a  high  feast,  singing 
and  dancing,  without  any  suspicion  of  their  approaching  dan- 
ger. Indeed  the  noise  of  their  rejoicings  was  heard  by  the 
sentinels,  who  were  posted  considerably  in  the  advance,  until 
after  midnight. 

Long  before  that  time,  however,  almost  every  eye  in  the 
camp  was  closed  in  sleep.  Major  Atherton,  though  not  less 
exhausted  than  most  of  his  fellow-soldiers,  felt  the  mild  and 
balmy  influence  of  the  evening  air  too  refreshing  to  admit  of 
slumber.  For  some  time  he  continued  walking  before  his 
tent,  and  busied  with  thoughts  as  strangely  diversified  as  the 
events  of  the  few  last  months  of  his  life  had  been.  The  moon 
rode  high  in  the  heavens,  and  seemed  pouring  her  light  upon 
a  world  of  shadows.  The  utmost  stillness  prevailed  ;  the  sen- 
tinels moved  to  and  fro  with  the  noiseless  tread  of  spectres  ; 
scarcely  a  leaf  trembled  on  its  stalk,  and  every  blade  of  grass 
stood  erect  and  glittering  with  dew.  The  winding  Mistick 
flowed  through  its  green  banks  like  a  stream  of  silver ;  b 
even  the  gurgling  of  its  waters  was  suspended,  and  the  sha- 
dows of  the  distant  hills  lay  like  giants  slumbering  on  t 

plain. 

There  was  something  solemn  and  soothing  in  the  scene  . 


442  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

something  inexpressibly  beautiful,  but  lifeless  and  uncheering. 
Atherton  thought  of  the  coming  morrow,  when  the  strife  of 
battle  would  invade  the  peaceful  retirement,  and  the  thunders 
of  war  disturb  the  harmony  of  nature  ;  and  though  he  looked 
forward  with  the  courage  and  ardor  of  a  soldier,  it  was  also 
with  the  compassion  of  a  benevolent  heart,  and  the  seriousness 
of  a  reflecting  mind.  But  other  and  softer  emotions  soon 
absorbed  him.  He  thought  of  Miriam  Grey — her  beauty,  her 
playful  grace,  her  artless  affection,  was  each  the  theme  on 
which  he  dwelt  with  the  passionate  tenderness  of  a  lover ; 
until,  reminded  by  a  change  of  guards  of  the  lateness  of  the 
hour,  he  pressed  to  his  lips  the  lock  of  hair  she  twined  round 
his  arm,  and  with  a  sigh  retired  to  his  hard  and  lowly  pillow. 

Two  hours  before  day-break  the  army  was  again  in  mo- 
tion ;  and  after  devoutly  supplicating  Him,  who  '  giveth 
strength  to  the  weak,'  advanced  with  renovated  spirits  towards 
Mistick  fort.  Captain  Mason  divided  his  men  into  two  com- 
panies, one  commanded  by  himself,  the  other  by  Captain  Un- 
derbill ;  and  following  a  circuitous  path  for  about  two  miles, 
they  came  to  the  base  of  a  considerable  eminence,  on  which 
the  fort  was  situated.  The  Indians  still  continued  far  in  the 
rear,  so  overpowered  by  terror,  that  it  was  in  vain  to  depend 
on  their  assistance.  On  receiving  a  command  from  Captain 
Mason  to  remain  and  see  how  Englishmen  could  fight,  they 
began  to  rally,  and  formed  a  circle  round  the  fort,  though  at  a 
distance  which  protected  them  from  personal  danger. 

The  English  rapidly  ascended  the  hill,  and  had  almost 
gained  the  pallisadoes  unperceived,  when  the  barking  of  a  dog 
alarmed  the  Pequods,  and  in  an  instant  the  dreadful  sound  of 
the  war-whoop  announced  that  they  were  prepared  to  com- 
mence the  combat.  The  troops  poured  a  discharge  of  mus- 
ketry into  the  fort,  and  at  the  same  moment  the  two  divisions 
rushed,  sword  in  hand,  through  the  principal  entrances,  which 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  443 

had  been  partially  secured  by  the  branches  of  trees.  The 
Pequods  defended  themselves  with  the  most  desperate  and 
heroic  courage  ;  and  a  scene  of  carnage  ensued,  perhaps  un- 
paralleled in  the  annals  of  our  country. 

But  it  is  not  our  intention  to  invade  the  province  of  the 
historian,  by  entering  into  the  details  of  this  sanguinary  con- 
flict, from  which  the  feelings  of  humanity  recoil  with  horror. 
Suffice  it  to  say,  a  complete  victory  was  achieved  by  the  con- 
duct and  intrepidity  of  the  English,  though  the  laurels  of  the 
conqueror  were  unhappily  stained  with  the  blood  of  the  inno- 
cent and  defenceless.  In  little  more  than  an  hour,  a  flourish- 
ing- village  of  seventy  wigwams  was  reduced  to  ashes,  and  up- 
wards of  six  hundred  Indians, — the  aged,  and  the  feeble  in- 
fant, the  warrior  in  his  strength,  and  the  mother  with  her 
helpless  children,  were  destroyed  by  ihe  sword,  or  perished  in 
the  flames. 

The  English  had  only  two  killed,  but  nearly  twenty  of  their 
number  were  severely  wounded  ;  and  the  whole  army  was 
faint  and  exhausted  by  their  extraordinary  exertions.  Under 
these  circumstances  their  situation  became  extremely  critical. 
They  were  in  the  midst  of  the  enemy's  country,  which  they 
had  now  aroused  to  vengeance,  and  every  moment  liable  to  an 
attack  from  the  Indians  of  the  other  fortress.  Their  ammuni- 
tion was  nearly  expended,  and  they  were  destitute  of  provi- 
sions and  necessaries  for  the  wounded ;  having  left  their  sur- 
geon, and  every  thing  not  absolutely  needful,  in  the  vessels  at 
Narraganset,  which  had  been  delayed  by  contrary  winds  from 
joining  them  at  the  expected  time.  All  the  Indians,  except 
Uncas  and  his  party  deserted.  While  Captain  Mason  and 
his  officers  were  consulting  in  this  emergency,  the  vessels, 
'as  if  guided  by  the  hand  of  Providence,'  were  discovered 
sailing  before  a  fair  wind  into  the  Pequod  harbor. 

Their  joy  at  this  welcome   and  almost  unhoped-for  relief, 


444  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

was  considerably  damped  by  the  appearance  of  three  hundred 
hostile  Indians  approaching  from  the  royal  fortress.  Major 
Atherton,  with  a  chosen  band,  was  sent  forward  to  oppose 
their  progress,  and  he  advanced  upon  them  with  so  much 
spirit  and  promptitude,  that  they  were  glad  to  retire  from  the 
contest.  Captain  Mason  then  gave  orders  to  march,  the 
wounded  being  placed  on  mats,  and  carried  by  the  friendly 
Indians.  But  when  the  Pequods  ascended  the  hill,  and  be- 
held the  ruins  of  the  fort,  and  the  destruction  of  their  country- 
men, their  rage  became  uncontrollable.  They  tore  the  hair 
from  their  heads,  used  the  most  violent  gestures  of  grief,  and 
in  a  paroxysm  of  despair,  descended  furiously  upon  the  Eng- 
lish. A  few  volleys  from  the  rear  guard  again  dispersed 
them  ;  and  after  proceeding  a  short  distance,  the  army  halted 
on  the  margin  of  a  brook,  and  indulged  a  few  moments  of 
rest  and  refreshment. 

They  then  marched  nearly  six  miles  through  an  untracked 
and  marshy  ground,  pursued  by  the  enemy,  who  continually 
discharged  their  arrows  amongst  them.  Fortunately  they  did 
no  injury  ;  but  the  musketry  of  the  English  severely  annoyed 
the  Indians,  and  at  length  compelled  them  to  retreat. 

The  gallant  little  band  reached  the  Pequod  harbor  in  good 
order,  with  their  colors  flying,  and  were  received  on  board 
the  vessels  with  every  demonstration  of  joy.  In  less  than 
three  weeks  from  their  departure,  the  troops  returned  to  Say- 
brook  ;  where,  to  use  the  words  of  Captain  Mason,  they  were 
'  nobly  entertained  with  many  great  guns,'  and  treated  by 
Lieutenant  Gardiner  with  the  most  attentive  hospitality. 

The  news  of  this  signal  victory  was  received  with  universal 
satisfaction  throughout  the  colonies  ;  but  the  Massachusetts 
still  deemed  it  expedient  to  send  forward  the  remainder  of  the 
troops  which  they  had  raised ;  and  accordingly  a  hundred  and 
twenty  men,  under  the  command  of  Captain  Stoughton,  sailed 


PEEP    AT    THE    PILGRIMS.  445 

immediately  for  the  Pequod  harbor.  Major  Atherton,  deter- 
mined  not  to  desert  the  cause  which  he  had  espoused,  rejoined 
Captain  Mason,  who,  with  forty  men,  effected  a  junction  with 
Captain  Stoughton,  accompanied  also  by  several  of  the  prin- 
cipal gentlemen  of  Connecticut,  who  attended  as  counselors 
to  direct  their  future  operations. 

Sassacus  in  the  mean  time,  hard  pressed  by  the  enemy,  and 
insulted  by  his  own  subjects,  who  imputed  all  their  misfor- 
tunes to  his  haughtiness  and  temerity,  finding  it  unsafe  to  re- 
main longer  in  his  dominions,  destroyed  the  fort  and  wigwams, 
and  with  the  feeble  remnant  of  his  once  fierce  and  powerful 
tribe,  retired  to  Quinnipiack,  now  New-Haven.  Their  ex- 
treme terror  of  the  English,  whom  they  had  lately  despised, 
deprived  them  of  all  resolution  and  foreihought,  and  during 
their  painful  flight,  these  poor  outcasts  were  reduced  to  the 
lowest  degree  of  misery.  They  were  obliged  to  dig  for  clams 
along  the  shores,  and  search  the  woods  for  roots  to  subsist 
upon  ;  and  being  encumbered  with  women  and  children,  the 
English  were  without  difficulty  enabled  to  pursue  them 
closely. 

The  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  troops  proceeded  to 
New-Haven  by  land,  the  vessels  coasting  along  the  shore ; 
and  in  three  days  arrived  there  without  overtaking  the  Pe- 
quods,  except  a  few  stragglers,  whom  they  captured.  Deceiv- 
ed by  a  smoke  in  the  woods,  which  they  supposed  proceeded 
from  the  enemy's  encampment,  they  hastily  prepared  for  ac- 
tion ;  but  soon  discovering  that  it  arose  from  fires  kindled  by 
the  Connecticut  Indians,  they  retired  to  their  vessels,  which 
lay  at  anchor  in  the  harbor.  They  then  sent  forward  one  of 
the  captives  to  reconnoitre,  and  he  returned  with  the  intelli- 
gence that  the  Pequods  were  resting  at  a  place  about  twenty 
miles  distant,  called  Unquowa,  since  Fairfield.  The  English 
resumed  their  march  with  alacrity,  and  early  in  the  afternoon, 
38 


446  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

arrived  at  the  designated  place.  Several  large  corn-fields 
marked  it  as  an  Indian  settlement,  and  ascending  a  hill,  they 
observed  a  number  of  wigwams  separated  from  them  by  an 
extensive  morass  thickly  covered  with  trees  and  bushes.  This 
dismal  swamp  was  nearly  divided  in  the  middle,  and  in  one 
part  of  it  about  an  hundred  Pequod  warriors,  with  their 
squaws  and  little  ones,  and  nearly  two  hundred  of  the  neigh- 
boring Indians  were  gathered  to  conceal  themselves.  The 
English  entirely  surrounded  it  so  as  to  prevent  the  escape  of  any; 
but  an  unfortunate  division  arising  among  the  officers,  much 
time  was  consumed  in  debate,  which  might  have  been  more 
profitably  spent  in  action.  An  interpreter  was  however  sent 
to  parly  with  the  Indians,  and  offer  protection  to  such  as  had 
not  done  violence  to  the  English  ;  and  many  gladly  availed 
themselves  of  the  offer.  The  Sachem  of  the  place,  at  the 
head  of  his  friendly  Indians,  delivered  himself  up,  presenting 
his  garment  of  beaver  skin  to  conciliate  their  favor ;  and  he 
was  followed  by  many  old  men,  women,  and  children,  in  the 
whole  amounting  to  upwards  of  two  hundred. 

But  the  Pequod  warriors,  with  undiminished  spirit,  disdain- 
ed the  offer  of  life,  and  declared  their  intention  of  defending 
themselves  to  the  last  moment.  Captain  Mason,  therefore, 
ordered  the  narrow  of  the  swamp  to  be  cut  through,  and  en- 
circling it  with  his  troops,  they  rested  on  their  arms  during 
the  night.  Just  before  day  a  thick  fog  arose,  and  the  Indians 
taking  advantage  of  it  with  their  terrific  yell,  suddenly  rushed 
upon  Captain  Patrick's  quarters,  and  endeavored  to  force  their 
way  through  them.  Captain  Mason  hearing  the  noise  and 
confusion,  sent  a  detachment  to  learn  the  cause,  and  give  as- 
sistance, if  necessary.  But  the  tumult  increasing,  he  raised 
the  siege  and  repaired  himself  to  the  place,  where  he  found 
Captain  Patrick  and  his  men  bravely  contending  with  a  for- 
midable number,  whom  they  had  several  times  driven  back  to 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  447 

their  covert.  A  few  rounds  of  shot  again  obliged  them  to  re- 
treat ;  but  they  presently  returned  with  irresistible  violence 
upon  the  besiegers,  and  about  seventy  of  the  chief  warriors 
burst  through  their  intrenchment,  and  fled  beyond  the  possi- 
bility of  pursuit.  Sassacus,  and  the  sachem  Mononotto  were 
among  those  who  escaped.  About  twenty  were  killed  in  the 
skirmish,  and  a  hundred  and  eighty  of  both  sexes  and  every 
age  were  taken  prisoners.  This  second  victory  was  complete, 
and  the  brave  and  powerful  tribe  of  Pequods  was  totally  ex- 
terminated. Of  the  few  who  escaped,  some  took  refuge  with 
the  Mohawks,  and  were  slain  by  them,  others  were  incorpor- 
ated with  the  Narragansets  and  Mohegans ;  their  name  be- 
came extinct,  and  their  country  was  alienated  to  the  English. 

This  memorable,  but  almost  forgotten  contest, — however 
trifling  it  may  appear  in  comparison  with  the  more  brilliant 
conquests  of  Europe,  which  have  so  often  convulsed  her  fair- 
est kingdoms,  and  deluged  her  fields  with  the  blood  of  thou- 
sands of  victims  to  her  ambition  or  revenge, — was  notwith- 
standing, productive  of  the  most  important  consequences,  and 
strikingly  exhibits  the  firmness  and  courage  of  the  early  set- 
tlers of  New-England.  Indeed,  considering  the  weakness  of 
the  colonies,  and  their  limited  resources,  and  the  strength  and 
numbers  of  the  enemy,  their  success  appears  almost  miracu- 
lous ;  and  under  the  smiles  of  Heaven  can  only  be  attributed 
to  the  prompt  and  cheerful  exercise  of  that  intrepid  valor, 
which  they  brought  with  them  from  the  land  of  free  and  heroic 
spirits. 

The  destruction  of  the  Pequods  filled  the  neighboring  In- 
dians with  such  dread  of  the  English,  that  they  voluntarily 
sought  their  friendship,  and  for  upwards  of  forty  years,  re- 
frained from  open  hostilities  against  them  ;  until  the  ambi- 
tious Philip  of  Mount  Hope,  by  his  insidious  and  revengeful 


448  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

conduct,  tempted  their  wrath,  and  eventually  involved  himself 
and  nation  in  ruin. 

A  division  of  the  prisoners  was  made  at  Saybrook,  on  the 
return  of  the  army,  and  a  due  proportion  given  to  Miantonimo 
and  Uncas  ;  the  rest  were  distributed  among  the  troops  of 
Massachusetts  and  Connecticut.  The  wife  and  children  of 
Mononotto  were  discovered  with  the  captives,  and  in  return 
for  their  kindness  to  the  English  maidens,  they  were  treated 
with  the  greatest  attention  and  respect.  The  sweetness  and 
modesty  of  Mioma's  countenance  and  manners  interested 
every  one ;  and  Major  Atherton  in  particular,  grateful  for  the 
protection  which  she  had  extended  to  Miriam  Grey,  exerted 
himself  to  alleviate  the  misfortunes,  which  had  overwhelmed 
her  family  and  country.  But  whatever  Mioma  endured,  it 
was  in  silence ;  not  a  murmur  or  a  sigh  escaped  her ;  and 
though  pensive  and  retiring,  the  loftiness  of  her  spirit  was 
still  visible  in  her  serene  and  dignified  deportment.  Captain 
Mason  in  a  letter  to  Governor  Winthrop,  recommended  her  to 
his  particular  care  ;  and  during  the  voyage  to  Boston,  Major 
Atherton  was  entrusted  with  the  charge  of  herself  and  chil- 
dren. 

The  troops  of  Connecticut  and  Massachusetts  took  leave  of 
each  other  with  feelings  of  mutual  good  will  and  interest  pe- 
culiar to  brave  men,  who  had  been  associated  in  scenes  of 
danger  and  glory.  Major  Atherton  received  the  most  gratify- 
ing acknowledgments  of  his  personal  bravery  and  military 
skill,  in  the  conduct  of  the  war  ;  and  impatient  of  a  moment's 
delay,  returned  with  Captain  Stoughton  and  his  party  to  Bos- 
ton, where  they  arrived  early  in  the  month  of  July. 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  449 


CHAPTER    XXXII. 

But  now  I  am  returned,  and  that  war  thoughts 
Have  left  their  places  vacant,  in  their  rooms 
Come  thronging  soft  and  delicate  desires, 
All  prompting  me  how  fair  young  Hero  is, 
Saying  I  liked  her,  ere  I  went  to  wars. 

SHAKSPEARX. 

A  HEAVY  salute  from  the  fort  at  Castle  Island,  in  compli- 
ment to  Captain  Stoughton  and  his  gallant  little  band,  as  they 
passed  it  homeward  bound,  announced  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Boston  the  return  of  their  expected  troops,  and  the  shore  was 
quickly  crowded  with  spectators  waiting  to  bid  them  welcome. 
There  was  probably  more  order  and  gravity  maintained  in 
this  assemblage  than  is  usually  found  in  the  degenerate  mob 
of  the  present  day  ;  but  the  shouting  of  the  boys  would  some- 
times rise  to  a  discordant  pitch,  and  the  softer  voices  of  their 
female  companions,  occasionally  mingled  with  the  yelping  of 
curs,  who  on  that  memorable  occasion,  exercised  their  vocal 
powers  with  surprising  perseverance.  The  vessels  rode  proud- 
ly over  the  waves,  as  if  conscious  of  the  honors  they  sustained, 
and  pushed  close  into  a  deep  cove, — now  disfigured  by  a  wharf, 
— at  the  northern  part  of  the  town.  The  soldiers  disembark- 
ed in  good  order,  while  the  drums  beat  a  national  air,  and 
the  populace  shouted  with  all  the  strength  of  lungs  they  could 
command.  The  men  marched  to  a  liitle  distance  where  they 
formed  themselves  into  a  hollow  square,  and  stood  with  their 
heads  uncovered,  while  Captain  Stoughton  addressed  them  in 
a  parting  harangue.  Mr.  Wilson,  the  reverend  chaplain,  who 
had  been  sent  forward  with  the  army  for  their  '  encourage- 
3S* 


450  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

ment  and  instruction,'  then  took  up  the  word  of  exhortation, 
and  when  he  had  concluded,  a  volley  of  musketry  was  dis- 
charged, and  the  different  divisions  filed  off  to  the  respective 
towns  which  had  furnished  them  for  the  public  weal. 

As  Major  Atherton  stood  looking  among  the  crowd  for  some 
familiar  face,  his  hand  was  suddenly  seized  with  a  friendly 
grasp,  and  a  well  known  voice  exclaimed, — 

4 1  am  right  glad  to  see  you  again,  cousin  Atherton,  and 
sound  in  limb,  after  your  hot  skirmish  with  those  heathenish 
savages.' 

'  And  I  am  truly  rejoiced  to  meet  you  here,  my  dear  sir  ;' 
returned  Atherton  ;  '  I  was  at  that  moment  wishing  myself 
with  my  warm-hearted  friends  at  Plymouth ; — for  I  had  not 
dreamed  of  finding  you  here.' 

'  Aye,  aye,  Edward,'  replied  Captain  Standish,  'I  thought 
you  would  be  glad  to  come  back  to  us  again,  though  you  went 
off  in  such  a  hurry,  nobody  knew  why,  nor  wherefore.  But 
I  hope  you  have  come  to  your  senses  at  last,  and  left  all  your 
folly  behind  you.' 

'  1  could  scarcely  get  rid  of  such  a  burthen  so  speedily,' 
said  Atherton;  'but  here  comes  another,  whom  I  little 
thought  of  seeing  to-day  ; — my  friend  Peregrine  White,  how 
came  you  hither?' 

'  Stop,  if  it  please  you,  Major,  till  I  have  found  my  breath  ;' 
answered  Peregrine,  puffing  between  every  word ;  '  I  was 
full  three  miles  off,  fishing  with  Hobamock,  when  the  cannon 
roared  at  the  fort ;  so  I  left  a  perch  in  the  act  of  nibbling,  and 
ran  off  with  all  speed  to  find  you.' 

'  Did  you  come  all  the  way  from  Plymouth,'  asked  Ather- 
ton, '  to  fish  with  the  Indian  in  the  Massachusetts'  streams  ?' 

'  Nonsense,  Major  ;  we  have  enough  of  that  sport  at  home  ; 
I  came  along  with  fifty  stout-hearted  lads,  to  go  on  and  meet 
you,  and  help  to  cut  up  those  insolent  Pequods  ;  but  when  we 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  451 

got  here,  word  was  sent  us  to  stay,  for  that  you  had  made 
thorough  work  with  them  already ; — though  I  wish  you  had 
been  so  complaisant  as  to  wait  for  us.  I  had  a  mind  to  see 
beyond  the  great  fresh  river,  and  have  some  sport  with  you  in 
the  camp.' 

'  It  is  my  mind,  Master  Peregrine,'  said  the  Captain,  '  that 
you  have  been  well  spared,  both  as  to  your  pains  and  your 
credit ;  for  I  am  no  prophet  if  your  heels  had  not  served  you 
better  than  your  sword,  when  you  came  in  contact  with  their 
painted  faces  and  poisoned  arrows.  The  Indians  would  not 
stop  to  admire  your  martial  appearance,  as  the  pretty  damsels 
at  Plymouth  did,  I  can  tell  you,  my  boy.' 

'  Pshaw  !'  said  Peregrine,  half  laughing;  '  but  I  know  you 
don't  think  me  a  coward,  Captain,  though  you  do  love  to 
tease  me  ;  you  would  not  have  persuaded  my  father  to  let  me 
go,  if  there  had  been  any  risk  of  my  disgracing  him,  or 
myself.' 

'  It  is  not  best  to  tell  all  our  thoughts,'  replied  the  Captain; 
« the  wisest  man  in  the  world  has  bidden  us  to  set  a  "  watch 
on  the  door  of  our  lips ;"  and  every  body  knows  you  are  but 
an  indiscreet  youngster,  Peregrine.' 

'  Every  body,'  said  Peregrine,  '  must  have  less  faith  than  a 
«  grain  of  mustard  seed,"  if  they  do  not  believe  what  is  so 
often  told  them  ;  but  since  you  would  not  have  been  there  to 
betray  me,  Captain,  I  might  have  passed  off  very  well  with 
the  good  people  of  Connecticut.' 

•  Did  you  not   have  the  command  of  this  Plymouth  rein- 
forcement,  Captain  ?'  asked  Atherton,  •  or  were  your  servic, 
required  for  the  home  defence  ?'  ,  .    / 

• We  find  it  will  not  do  to  leave  any  corner  unguarded,  lor 
these  treacherous  villains  to  creep  into,' said  the  Captain  ; 
•  though  they  have  grown  rather  shy  of  the  guns  of  our  bat- 
tcry,  since  some  of  their  heads  w«re  put  up  to  garmsh  it ; 


452  PEEP     AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

besides,  cousin  Atherton,  I  am  growing  too  old  to  go  an  hun- 
dred miles  or  more  to  fight  for  my  neighbors ;  though  while  I 
can  grasp  a  sword,  it  shall  be  wielded  to  protect  my  own  col- 
ony from  insult.' 

'  I  suspect,  sir,'  said  Atherton,  '  you  could  keep  pace  with 
the  youngest  of  us  now,  even  in  marching  through  the  wil- 
derness of  the  Narraganset,  which  might  put  the  strength  of 
any  one  fairly  to  the  test.' 

'  My  sinews  are  pretty  flexible  yet,'  returned  the  Captain, 
'  considering  how  much  hard  service  they  have  had  to  sus- 
tain ;  but  I  have  not  so  much  use  for  them  now  as  I  had, 
when  fighting  with  our  brave  English  gallants,  under  the 
banners  of  good  queen  Bess,  of  blessed  memory,  to  keep  the 
Dutch  in  possession  of  their  dykes  and  ditches.' 

'  They  say  you  showed  prodigious  agility,'  said  Peregrine, 
gravely,  '  when  Mr.  Calvert — ' 

'  Your  troublesome  ears  are  always  drinking  in  idle  tales,' 
interrupted  the  Captain,  quickly ;  '  but  it  is  no  matter,  boy,  for 
no  one  thinks  you  are  worth  minding.' 

'  A  happy  privilege,'  returned  Peregrine,  '  which  I  shall 
use  discreetly,  as  occasion  may  require.  But,  Major  Ather- 
ton, you  have  not  yet  asked  us  what  is  going  on  at  Plymouth, 
and  I  am  sure  there  is,  at  least,  one  person  there,  whom  you 
would  be  glad  to  know  something  about.' 

4  There  are  many  in  whom  I  feel  interested,'  replied  Ather- 
ton ;  '  but  I  judged  from  your  gay  countenance,  that  no  mis- 
fortune had  befallen  the  place  or  people,  and  I  hope  very  soon 
to  return  there  and  satisfy  myself  from  personal  observation.' 

«  We  may  go  together,  then,  perhaps,'  said  Peregrine,  « I 
only  remain  here  as  a  guard  of  honor  to  the  Captain  ;  and  I 
think  he  will  release  me,  at  a  moment's  warning;  the  rest  of 
oar  company  returned  two  or  three  days  since,  though  I 
sought  to  detain  Master  Aehly  for  my  special  amusement ; 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  453 

but  he  grew  impatient  to  see  his  promised  bride,  whom  he 
was  obliged  to  leave  just  as  he  had  attained  her  -smiling  con- 
sent to  be  his.' 

'  Is  Mr.  Ashly  married  ?'  asked  Atherton,  changing  color; 
'  and  may  I  know  who  is  the  happy  object  of  his  choice  ?' 

'  It  has  been  long  known  who  he  would  choose,'  replied 
Peregrine ;  '  but  perhaps  you  have  not  heard,  Major  Atherton 
that  Mr.  Grey  has  returned  from  England,  which  is  supposed 
to  have  hastened  Benjamin  Ashly  into  the  bands  of  wedlock.' 

'  Hastened  him,'  said  the  Captain,  laughing,  '  because  Mr. 
Grey,  like  an  honest  man,  refused  to  compel  his  daughter  to 
marry  against  her  will ;  so  Master  Benjamin  finding  there 
was  no  hope  for  him  in  that  quarter,  turned  his  eyes  on  Mis- 
tress Rebecca  Spindle,  who  has  been  wooing  him  with  smiles 
ever  since  she  heard  the  joyful  news,  that  Miriam  Grey  had 
rejected  his  addresses  ;  they  are  now  married,  or  will  be  soon, 
for  the  prudent  spinster,  as  I  hear,  did  not  take  long  to  de- 
liberate on  the  propriety  of  obliging  him.' 

'  A  very  suitable  match,  I  should  think,'  said  Atherton,  who 
felt  greatly  relieved  by  the  Captain's  narration,  '  though  the 
lady  seems  to  have  some  advantage  over  him,  in  point  of 
age.' 

'  And  experience,  too,'  said  Peregrine,  '  or  she  would  never 
have  cajoled  him  into  matrimony,  with  such  an  uhtempting 
visage ;  he  had  better  have  looked  after  a  pretty  laughing 
damsel,  some  twenty  or  thirty  years  younger  than  himself,  as 
Captain  Standish  and  I  intend  to,  one  of  these  days  ;  though 
ten  to  one,  we  may  get  served  some  roguish  tricks  by  them.' 

'And  it  would  be  right  enough,  too,'  said  the  Captain,  good- 
humoredly,  and  without  appearing  to  notice  his  allusion.  '  If 
such,  sage  persons  as  you  and  I,  Peregrine,  who  have  been  so 
long  schooled  in  the  ways  of  the  world,  consent  to  play  with 
such  mischievous  beings,  we  ought  not  to  complain  if  they 


454  PEEP     AT    THE    PILGRIMS. 

forget  our  dignity,  and  give  us  an  unlucky  blow. — Ha,  cousin 
Atherton,  what  say  you  ?' 

Atherton  started  on  hearing  his  name  pronounced,  for  he 
was  at  that  moment  thinking  of  Miriam  Grey,  and  drawing 
encouragement  for  his  own  hopes,  from  the  lenity  of  her  father. 
Following  the  train  of  thought,  which  led  him  back  to  her 
cheerful  home,  he  replied  without  exactly  understanding  the 
question. 

'  Go,  sir,  I  am  ready  at  this  moment,  any  time  when  it  may 
please  you.' 

Captain  Standish  looked  at  him  with  a  significant  smile, 
and  laying  his  hand  on  Atherton 's  shoulder,  said, — 

'  I  see  how  it  is  with  you,  Edward ;  but  bear  up  a  good 
heart,  till  we  can  storm  the  enemy  in  his  own  quarters,  and 
God  willing,  the  prize  shall  be  yours  at  last.  I  have  a  snug 
little  room  at  Master  Cole's,  so  come  with  me  now,  and  we 
will  talk  over  these  matters  at  our  leisure.  I  would  learn 
something  more  about  your  friendly  visit  to  Sassacus  and  his 
people,  and  the  warm  reception  they  gave  you — to  say  noth- 
ing of  your  mad  chase  after  Miriam  Grey,  which  had  like  to 
have  made  a  bon-fire  of  you  both — for  which,  craving  your 
pardon,  cousin  Atherton,  I  have  ever  since  thought  you  de- 
served to  be  decked  out  with  a  cap  and  bells  ;  for  I  cannot 
learn  that  she  was  in  any  danger,  till  you  provoked  the  Indi- 
ans to  vengeance.' 

'  I  thought  differently,'  returned  Atherton,  '  and  I  am  mis- 
taken, sir,  if  you  would  not  have  done  exactly  as  I  did,  had 
you  been  placed  in  the  same  circumstances.' 

'  It  may  be  so,'  said  the  Captain,  '  and  I  dare  say  you  did 
all  for  the  best ;  but  I  would  not  have  you  throw  away  your 
life,  even  for  my  little  rose-bud,  if  you  could  do  her  no  good 
by  it.' 

'  I  suppose,'  said  Peregrine  White,  archly,  '  Major  Atberton 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 


chose  to  see  with  his  own  eyes  ;  we  all  know  it  is  dangerous 
to  intrust  a  third  person,  in  matters  of  importance,  especially 
if  there  is  a  fair  damsel  in  the  case.' 

Captain  Standish  twirled  his  sword  round  with  some  vio- 
lence, but  made  no  reply  ;  and  after  a  moment's  embarrassing 
silence,  Atherton  said,  — 

'  As  you  are  acquainted  with  Miriam's  captivity,  you  must 
have  heard  of  her  Indian  protectress  ;  she  is  amongst  our 
prisoners,  and  I  am  charged  to  place  her  in  the  hands  of  Gov- 
ernor Winthrop  —  so  I  must  beg  you  to  excuse  me,  sir,  while 
I  execute  my  commission.' 

'  Go,'  replied  the  Captain  ;  '  and  you  will  find  me  at  the 
inn,  whenever  you  choose  to  look  for  me.  And  hark'ee, 
cousin  Atherton,  I  should  like  to  have  a  peep  at  this  said  Mi- 
oma,  as  they  call  her,  myself  ;  one  would  suppose  she  was  a 
tawny  angel  from  my  rose-bud's  description,  and,  in  truth,  I 
think  she  must  have  as  good  a  heart  as  was  ever  lodged  in  a 
heathen  body,  to  show  such  kindness  to  her  white  captives.' 

As  soon  as  Major  Atherton  had  placed  the  wife  and  chil- 
dren of  Mononotto  in  the  family  of  Mr.  Winthrop—  where 
they  were  treated  with  that  delicate  attention  which  generous 
and  benevolent  minds  are  ever  ready  to  bestow  on  the  unfor- 
tunate —  he  became  extremely  impatient  to  return  to  Plymouth, 
and  decide  the  doubts  and  hopes  which  had  so  long  agitated 
him,  and  on  which  his  future  plans,  and  as  he  thought,  hap- 
piness entirely  depended.  But  he  was  obliged  in  courtesy  to 
remain  several  days,  as  the  Court  of  Massachusetts  had  set 
apart  a  day  of  thanksgiving,  to  be  observed  throughout  the 
colony,  for  the  signal  victory  obtained  over  the  Pequods  ;  on 
which  occasion  the  officers  who  had  served  in  that  campaign 
were  invited  to  partake  of  a  public  dinner. 

On  the  morning  of  the  appointed  day,  the  inhabitants  of 
Boston  repaired  to  the  meeting-house,  and  united  their  hearts 


456  PEEP    AT    THE     PILGRIMS. 

in  grateful  praise  to  Him  who  had  given  '  peace  to  their  bor- 
ders,' and  '  scattered  the  heathen  before  them.'  When  the 
devotional  exercises  were  concluded,  the  magistrates  of  the 
town  escorted  the  military  officers  to  an  inn,  where  a  plentiful 
repast  was  prepared  for  them  ;  and  each  individual  seemed 
resolved  to  show  the  abundance  of  his  thankfulness,  by  par- 
taking liberally  of  the  good  things  set  before  him.  How 
grateful  should  we  be,  to  our  venerable  ancestors,  for  trans- 
mitting to  us  so  ingenious  and  agreeable  a  mode  of  acknowl- 
edging our  obligations  to  the  heroes  and  benefactors  of  our 
country,  and  of  expressing  our  gratitude  to  the  Father  of  all, 
by  eating  to  satiety  of  the  bounties  he  has  provided  for  us  !  A 
custom,  still  scrupulously  observed,  and  almost  the  only  one 
remaining  of  those  worthy  Puritans,  which  the  liberality  of 
the  present  age  has  thought  proper  to  countenance  and  en- 


courage 


*  These  Massachusetts'  people,'  said  Captain  Standish  to 
Atherton,  after  they  had  retired, 'do  certainly  "strain  at  a 
gnat,  and  swallow  a  camel ;"  they  have  passed  a  law  in  their 
wisdom,  forbidding  the  drinking  of  healths,  to  save  a  man 
from  the  sin  of  getting  merry;  and  here,  on  this  joyful  day, 
we  have  been  sipping  our  wine  like  owls  in  a  church-yard, 
without  a  good  wish  to  our  king,  our  country,  or  our  Mistress, 
Edward.  Now  at  this  very  moment,  they  are  fitting  out  a 
vessel,  to  send  the  poor  Petpod  women  and  children  to  Ber- 
muda, and  sell  them  for  slaves  !  May  it  be  long  before  we, 
of  Plymouth,  imitate  such  humanity  !' 

'Impossible!'  exclaimed  Atherton,  indignantly;  'What! 
sell  the  untamed  children  of  the  forest  for  slaves  ?  they,  who 
are  born  free  as  the  wild  deer,  whom  they  pursue  !  do  they 
hope  to  bend  their  proud  spirits  to  the  yoke  of  bondage  !  they 
cannot  be  so  inhuman  !' 

'They  hope  to  get  money  for  them,  1  suppose,'  answered 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  457 

the  Captain,  drily.  '  They  have  already  tried  to  make  serv- 
ants of  some,  but  they  proved  too  cunning  and  fleet  of  foot, 
and  took  to  their  heels,  without  waiting  to  learn  the  customs 
of  civilized  life.  Cousin  Atherton,'  he  added  warmly,  'I 
know  that  I  have  been  censured  for  my  zeal  against  these  sav- 
ages, who,  if  not  made  to  feel  and  fear,  would  have  crushed 
our  feeble  colony  in  its  birth ;  but  never  has  my  sword  been 
the  instrument  of  cruelty,  or  my  counsel  aided  a  plan  so  in- 
famous, as  that  of  consigning  human  beings  to  a  life  of 
slavery.' 

'  In  whom,'  asked  Atherton,  '  did  this  project  originate? — 
Surely  the  rulers  of  a  free  and  Christian  people  cannot  sanc- 
tion a  practice  so  inconsistent  with  the  benevolence  of  the 
gospel,  and  which  aims  a  deadly  blow  at  the  root  of  liberty.' 

'  The  rulers  alone,  have  the  responsibility,'  said  the  Cap- 
tain ;  '  and  they  have  been  so  long  exercised  in  the  school  of 
persecution,  that  it  would  seem  they  have  grown  enamored 
of  its  discipline,  and  not  content  with  instructing  their  own 
people,  are  gathering  in  pupils  from  the  wilderness  of  this 
new  world.' 

'  Mioma  and  her  children,'  said  Atherton,  '  I  trust  are  ex- 
empted from  this  cruel  sentence ;  I  would  purchase  their  free- 
dom at  the  expense  of  my  whole  patrimony.' 

'  Governor  Winthrop  has  promised  to  protect  them,'  replied 
Captain  Standish,'in  return  for  their  kindness  to  the  English 
maidens.  But  we  must  let  them  manage  affairs  in  their  own 
way,  and  I  believe  they  are  in  the  main  conscientious,  and 
mean  to  do  "  God  service,"  though  sometimes  it  turns  out 
most  unprofitable  to  men.' 

'  Well,  we  will  leave  them  in  charity,'  said  Atherton,  '  and  I 
confess  to  you,  Captain,  I  feel  very  impatient  to  return  to 
Plymouth,  since  there  is  no  longer  any  thing  to  detain  us 
here.' 

39 


458  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGKIMS. 

'  I  do  not  doubt  your  word,  Edward, 'returned  the  Captain, 
'  and  if  the  wind  blows  right  in  the  morning,  we  will  spread 
our  sails  and  push  gaily  into  the  good  harbor,  and  we  shall 
soon  see,  if  a  certain  damsel  smiles  encouragement  on. 
us.' 

Early  on  the  following  morning,  Captain  Standish,  with 
Peregrine  White,  and  Major  Atherton,  left  Boston  ;  and  to- 
wards the  close  of  the  day,  arrived  in  safety  at  Plymouth. 
Atherton  sprang  first  upon  the  shore,  with  a  step  too  quick, 
and  with  hopes  too  buoyant,  to  wait  the  slower  motions  of  his 
companions.  As  he  looked  round,  with  a  lover's  eye,  on  the 
scenes  where  he  had  imbibed  and  cherished  a  pure  and  ex- 
alted passion,  connected  as  they  were,  with  the  image  of  her 
who  had  inspired  it,  and  reposing  in  the  calmness  and  beauty 
of  a  summer's  evening,  his  heart  bounded  with  pleasure,  and 
he  fancied  the  serenity  of  the  earth  and  heavens  was  pro- 
pitious to  his  hopes,  and  a  happy  omen  of  success. 

A  few  moments  brought  him  to  the  house  of  Mr.  Grey  ;  he 
paused  an  instant,  under  -the  spreading  oak,  where  he  had 
first  listened  to  the  voice  of  Miriam  ;  he  inhaled  the  fragrance 
of  her  favorite  sweet-briar ;  and  the  door  around  which  it 
clustered  was  open,  and  seemed  inviting  him  to  enter.  With 
a  trembling  hand,  he  opened  the  little  wicket,  and  hastily 
approached  the  threshold.  A  brilliant  twilight  rendered 
every  object  distinct,  and  he  quickly  perceived  Mr.  Grey  re- 
clining in  his  elbow-chair,  and  indulging  the  luxury  of  an 
evening  pipe.  Close  beside  him,  sat  his  daughter,  busied 
with  her  needle,  and  both  were  apparently  so  much  engrossed 
by  their  own  reflections,  that  Atherton  had  entered,  before  the 
sound  of  his  steps  aroused  them. 

Miriam  first  observed  him,  and  starting  from  her  seat,  she 
uttered  an  exclamation  of  joyful  surprise,  and  again  sunk 
upon  the  chair,  while  her  varying  complexion  betrayed  the 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIM?.  459 

strong  agitation  of  her  feelings.  Atherton  was  in  an  instant 
beside  her,  and  forgetful  of  every  thing  but  the  pleasure  of 
seeing  her  again,  and  in  safety,  without  uttering  a  word,  he 
pressed  her  hand  to  his  lips,  with  the  most  impassioned  ten- 
derness. Miriam  attempted  to  withdraw  her  hand,  and  her 
eyes  were  directed  anxiously  to  her  father.  A'.herton  under- 
stood her  meaning,  and  hastily  turned  to  address  him. 

Mr.  Grey  had  risen,  and  stood  regarding  them  with  atten- 
tion ;  Atherton  thought  without  displeasure.  Encouraged, 
but  still  embarrassed  how  to  proceed,  he  was  about  to  apolo- 
gize for  his  intrusion,  when  Mr.  Grey  offered  him  his  hand, 
and  said, — 

'  Major  Atherton,  I  understand  your  feelings,  and  it  is 
needless  for  you  to  excuse  them  ;  my  presence  was,  perhaps, 
unexpected  to  you,  and  probably  undesired.' 

'  Not  undesired,  sir,'  said  Atherton,  eagerly  ;  '  I  have  long 
wished  to  see  you ;  to  reveal  to  you  my  hopes  ;  to  entreat 
you  to  sanction  my  union  with  your  daughter.' 

'  Young  man,'  said  Mr.  Grey,  '  do  you  know  what  you 
ask  of  .me  1  do  you  know  that  Miriam  Grey  is  the  daughter 
of  a  Puritan  *  that,  from  her  birth,  she  has  been  devoted  to 
the  faith  of  her  father,  nurtured  in  the  principles  of  his  per- 
secuted Church,  and  taught  to  love  the  country  of  his 
adoption  V 

'  And  I,'  replied  Atherton,  '  am  the  son  of  a  Puritan  ;  a 
Puritan  in  principle  and  practice,  who  early  taught  me  to 
reverence  her  creed,  and  respect  the  rights  and  consciences  of 
those  who  in  sincerity  adopted  it.' 

•  And  yet,'  said  Mr.  Grey,  '  with  the  light  of  truth  before 
your  eyes,  you  turned  from  it,  and,  like  Balaam  of  old, 
«•  loved  the  wages  of  iniquity,"  and  clave  unto  the  darkness 
and  errors  of  Episcopacy  ;  and  how  can  I  be  assured  that 
you  will  not  turn  aside  my  poor  child  from  the  true  religion, 


460  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

and  entrap  her  in  the   false  and  subtle  mazes  of  your  super- 
stitious rites.' 

'My  honor,  and  the  pure  and  ardent  affection,  which  I  am 
proud  to  acknowledge  for  your  daughter,  must  be  my  best 
security;'  replied  Atherton,  'give  me  the  hand  of  Miriam, 
and  from  that  moment,  her  country  shall  be  mine,  and  her  re- 
ligion, so  far  as  is  consistent  with  my  principles  and  con- 
science. In  the  ordinary  acts  of  worship,  I  trust  our  hearts 
will  ever  be  united  ;  more  you  cannot  require  of  me,  nor  even 
to  obtain  her  love,  dearly  as  I  prize  it,  would  I  consent  to  re- 
nounce the  faith  of  my  fathers,  unless  convinced  it  was 
erroneous.' 

'I  like  your  candor,  Major  Atherton,' said  Mr.  Grey,  after 
a  moment's  pause  ;  '  but  are  you  assured  that  the  affections 
of  my  daughter  are  already  given  to  you,  and  that  only  my 
consent  is  necessary  to  your  union  ?' 

'  Sir,'  replied  Atherton,  '  I  have  every  reason  to  believe  it ; 
peculiar  and  trying  circumstances  revealed  our  sentiments  to 
each  other,  sooner  perhaps,  than  prudence  would  justify  ;  but 
in  justice  to  Miriam,  I  must  declare  to  you,  that  she  has  uni- 
formly discouraged  my  addresses,  with  a  firmness,  which 
principle  and  filial  duty  could  alone  inspire.' 

'  My  son,'  answered  Mr.  Grey,  with  emotion,  '  you  have 
twice  adventured  your  life,  to  snatch  my  daughter  from  peril 
and  death,  and  I  have  long  examined  myself,  lest  my  grati- 
tude as  a  father,  should  weaken  my  duty  as  a  Christian;  but 
God  has  inclined  the  heart  of  Miriam  towards  you,  and  in 
submission  to  the  will  of  Him,  who  "  loveth  mercy  rather 
than  sacrifice,"  I  entrust  her  temporal  and  eternal  happiness 
to  your  keeping  ;  and  may  the  spirit  of  truth  enlighten  your 
understanding,  and  lead  you  to  embrace  that  pure  "  faith 
which  was  once  delivered  to  the  saints."' 

Major  Atherton,  overwhelmed  by  this  almost  unhoped-for 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  401 

consent  to  his  wishes,  remained  silent,  for  a  moment,  and  un- 
able to  express  his  grateful  acknowledgments.  He  looked 
round  for  Miriam,  but  she  had  retired  at  the  commencement 
of  their  conversation,  and  Mr.  Grey  led  the  way  to  an  adjoin- 
ing apartment,  which  was  occupied  only  by  the  object  of  their 
search.  Miriam  cast  a  timid  look  at  her  lover  and  father, 
as  they  entered  with  countenances  agitated  by  different  emo  - 
tions  ;  and  a  deeper  blush  crimsoned  her  cheeks,  as  she  met 
the  eyes  of  Atherton.  beaming  with  a  tenderness  and  pleasure 
which  at  once  announced  success.  She  rose  as  they  drew 
near  her,  and  Mr.  Grey,  taking  her  passive  hand,  placed  it 
in  Atherton's,  and  laying  his  own  on  the  head  of  each,  said, 
with  solemn  emphasis, — 

1  My  children,  I  give  you  to  each  other ;  and  may  the 
blessing  of  the  God  of  love  descend  upon  you,  and  unite  your 
hearts  in  his  fear  and  service ;  and  may  he  bless  you,  in 
"  your  basket  and  in  your  store,  in  your  going  out  and  your 
coming  in  ;"  and  make  your  lives  useful  and  happy,  until  in 
his  own  good  time,  he  shall  see  fit  to  call  you  unto  "  his  eter- 
nal rest." ' 

So  saying  he  slowly  folded  his  arms,  and  retired  from  the 
room,  leaving  the  lovers  to  the  uninterrupted  indulgence  of  those 
new  and  happy  emotions,  which  his  unexpected  consent  had 
awakened. 

It  is  probable  many  tender  things  were  said,  and  many  im- 
portant articles  arranged,  on  that  occasion ;  for  on  the  follow- 
ing Sabbath  the  banns  of  marriage  were  published  in  com- 
pliance with  an  early  law  of  New  England, — which  is  still 
enforced,  to  the  great  embarrassment  of  all  modest  persons, 
who  are  about  to  put  on  the  happy  chains  of  matrimony. 

This  public  confirmation  of  an  event,  which  had  long  been 
agitated,  greatly  scandalized  many  worthy  people,  who  had 
not  till  then,  believed  the  exemplary  Mr.   Gr«y  could  be  so 
39* 


462  PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS. 

utterly  given  over  to  the  '  bufferings  of  Satan,'  as  to  sacrifice 
his  only  child  to  a  son  of  Episcopacy, — one  who  had  faith  in 
the  mother  church,  and  kneeled  to  repeat  prayers  from  a 
printed  book,  read  by  a  Bishop  in  la^wn  sleeves. 

4 1  would  not  have  believed  it,'  said  Mrs.  Ashly,  alias  Re- 
becca Spindle,  '  truly  our  "  hedges  are  broken  down,"  and 
"  grievous  wolves  have  entered  into  the  fold,  and  are  leading 
our  lambs  astray."  ' 

'  You  are  right,  Rebecca,'  answered  her  complaisant  spouse  ; 
'  and  had  the  damsel  Miriam  Grey  listened  unto  me,  she 
would  have  chosen  a  yoke-fellow  from  the  Lord's  own  people, 
instead  of  this  "  strange  vine  from  Egypt."  " 

'  It  is  no  concern  of  ours,  to  be  sure,'  said  the  wife  ;  'but 
to  me,  it  seems  a  clear  tempting  of  Providence,  and  in  special 
after  its  great  mercy  in  delivering  her  from  the  hands  of  the 
heathen  ;  but  she  was  ever  a  giddy  young  thing,  as  I  have 
often  told  you,  Benjamin.' 

'I  have  always  found  her  discreet  and  prudent,  save  in  one 
instance,'  returned  Master  Ashly,  '  and  when  she  has  attained 
your  age  and  experience  Rebecca,  I  doubt  not  she  will  repent 
her  of  this  great  evil.' 

'  It  may  be  so,'  answered  Rebecca,  mildly  ; — for  the  honey- 
moon was  not  yet  in  its  wane  ;  '  "  but  as  she  has  sowed,  so 
must  she  reap,"  and  I  fear  Benjamin,  it  will  be  in  tears.' 

Fortunately  the  fears  of  Mrs.  Ashly  were  not  realized. — 
The  union  of  Major  Atherton  and  Miriam  Grey  proved  last- 
ing and  happy.  Time  as  it  rolled  on  and  withered  the  graces 
of  youth,  left  them  in  possession  of  the  richer  treasures  of 
virtuous  and  contented  minds ;  and  the  endearing  relations  of 
domestic  and  social  life.  Atherton's  attachment  to  the  primi- 
tive habits  of  New-England  daily  strengthened,  and  familiar- 
ized to  its  simple  mode  of  worship,  he  became  eventually  a 
sincere,  but  liberal  Puritan. 


PEEP     AT     THE     PILGRIMS.  463 

Shortly  after  his  marriage,  Mioma  and  her  children  were 
received  into  his  family ;  and  the  grateful  affection  of  Miriam 
was  exerted  to  repay  the  kindness  they  had  shown  her,  and 
to  lighten  the  yoke  of  captivity,  which  was  peculiarly  galling 
o  the  lofty  spirit  of  Mioma.  The  persecuted  remnant  of  the 
Pequod  Indians,  who  escaped  the  destruction  of  their  nation, 
finding '  that  every  man's  hand  was  against  them,'  in  the  au- 
tumn repaired  to  Hartford  to  seek  protection  from  the  English, 
which  was  granted  them  on  condition  of  their  paying  an  an- 
nual tribute.  Cushminaw  perished  in  the  fight  of  Mistick  ; 
and  of  the  chief  Sachems  of  his  haughty  tribe,  Mononotto 
alone  survived.  He  was  rejoined  by  his  family  soon  after  the 
treaty  at  Hartford,  and  forbidden  to  return  to  his  own  country, 
retired  with  them  to  the  banks  of  the  Hudson. 

Major  Atherton,  in  the  following  year,  revisited  his  native 
land,  but  the  ties  which  once  bound  him  to  it  were  weakened 
by  absence,  and  the  influence  of  that  party  spirit,  which  was 
then  preparing  the  way  for  those  bloody  scenes,  which  termi- 
nated in  the  death  of  the  unfortunate  Charles.  He  disposed 
of  his  paternal  inheritance,  and  returned  to  America,  where 
his  affections  were  entirely  concentrated. 

Mr.  Grey  lived  to  enjoy  a  green  old  age,  and  saw  a  new 
generation  rising  up  to  take  the  place  of  their  fathers,  and 
hand  down  to  their  children's  children  those  principles  of  civil 
and  religious  freedom,  which  guided  the  Pilgrims  to  the 
Rock  of  Plymouth. 


/tn  /XA  AA  AA  AA  AA 

THE      END. 
WUVVA/VA/UVUV 


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